FOIA Guide
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
GUIDE
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Posted in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/4.
ABOUT THE STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY (PUBLIC BODY)
The Streator Public Library (also known as SPL) serves a community of over 12,000 residents, as well as reciprocal borrowers from the RAILS Library system, along with any visitors who pass through the Library’s doors.
The Streator Public Library is a municipal library established under the Illinois Local Library Act, 75 ILCS 5, with a 9-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor.
We are required to report to and be answerable to: Illinois State Library, Springfield, Illinois. Its members are: State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, Director of the State Library, and various other staff.
OUR MISSION
The Streator Public Library provides material and information to help all community residents fulfill their personal and educational needs. Residents of all ages have the means to fulfill their appetites for recreational reading interests, to support formal educational needs, to support job searching needs, to provide lifelong learning, to obtain consumer information and explore their personal heritage in a comfortable and safe environment.
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY’S WEBSITE
https://www.streatorpubliclibrary.org/
GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET
The fiscal year budget for 2026 is $ 549,773.00. Budget documents, the most current Budget and Appropriation Resolution and Levy Resolution are available on the Library’s website as well as in person at the Library’s administration office.
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY OFFICE
The Streator Public Library is located at 130 S Park St Streator, IL 61364. The Library only has one branch.
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF
When fully staffed, the library employs 1 full time employee and 10 part time employees.
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SPL is governed by an appointed, unpaid, nine-member Board of Library Trustees. Trustees are appointed by the Mayor of Streator.
Current Board Members are:
David Reed, President: davidr@hotmail.com
Ellen Vogel, Vice President: ellen.vogel@ymail.com
Spencer Lawrence, Trustee: sel1724@yahoo.com
Jane Farero, Secretary: wreithfarero@yahoo.com
Jack Schuler, Trustee: jackgschuler@gmail.com
Gary Wheeler, Trustee: gary.wheeler@edwardjones.com
Marc Cheffer, Treasurer: chffr53@aol.com
Darcy Mollo , Trustee: darcymollo4@gmail.com
Sandy Austin, Trustee: saustin.usa@gmail.com
Open Board of Trustees meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 4:30. Meetings typically take place in the Soderstrom Room on the second floor of the Streator Public Library.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
The Library has standing committees whose membership is as follows:
Committee Assignments
Personnel
Spencer Lawrence
Sandy Austin
Jane Farero*
Building and Grounds
Gary Wheeler*
Darcy Mollo
Marc Cheffer
Jack Schuler
Finance
Spencer Lawrence
Ellen Vogel
Marc Cheffer*
Policy
Gary Wheeler
Jack Schuler
Jane Farero*
Fundraising
Ellen Vogel*
Darcy Mollo
Sandy Austin
*Denotes chairperson
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The Streator Public Library adheres to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et. Seq., which is the principal Illinois statute governing the inspection of public records. The Act requires that public bodies make available for inspection or copying all public records to any person.
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY FOIA OFFICER
Melissa Badger: streatorpltech@gmail.com
FILING A FOIA REQUEST
A request for records must be made in writing and can be submitted to the attention of the FOIA officer in the following ways:
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Mail
Attn: FOIA Officer
130 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364
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Email
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Personal delivery
During regular business hours of the Streator Public Library
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST FEES
Digital copies shareable via electronic means are provided free of charge.
The charge for copies of the records will be as follows:
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First 50 pages black and white, letter size: Free
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25 cents per page for black and white, letter size, after 50 pages
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50 cents per page for color or oversized copies or electronic media
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Reproduction saved to other media: actual cost of the recording media (flash drive, etc.) to which the information will be saved
RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR RECORDS
Responses to commercial requests can be expected within 21 business days of the receipt of a written request. If an extension is required, a FOIA officer from the library will reach out to the requestor.
RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR RECORDS
Responses to commercial requests can be expected within 21 business days of the receipt of a written request. If an extension is required, a FOIA officer from the library will reach out to the requestor.
Responses for non-commercial requests can be expected within 5 business days of the receipt of a written request. If an extension is required, a FOIA officer from the library will reach out to the requestor.
PROCEDURE FOR APPEALING A DENIAL
If your request for information is denied, or denied in part, you have the right to have your request reviewed by the Public Access Counselor (PAC) at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). You can file your Request for Review with the PAC by writing to:
Leah Bartelt, Public Access Counselor
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
500 South 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62701
877-299-3642
You also have the right to seek judicial review of your denial by filing a lawsuit in the State circuit court. 5 ILCS 140/11. If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within 60 calendar days of the date of this denial letter. 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a). Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and the denial letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.
RECORDS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
The records listed below are available immediately via our website.
https://www.fppl.org/transparency/
Records
Time Frame
Meeting Minutes
April 2022 to the present
Meeting Agendas
May 2022 to the present
Salary and Benefit Information (Public Act 97-0609)
Current Fiscal Year
Budget and Appropriations
Current Fiscal Year
Levy
Current Fiscal Year
Library policies
Current
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY’S RECORD RETENTION SCHEDULE
SPL adheres to the guidance set out by the Local Records Commission through the state of Illinois for retaining records of business. Our requirements are as follows:
Records
Time Frame
Applications to Dispose of Records | Retain permanently
Accounts Payable Invoices and Vouchers |Retain for 7 years
Audit Reports | Retain permanently
Bank Statements, Deposits, Reconciliations | Retain for 7 years
Budget Reports | Retain for 7 years
Cancelled checks | Retain for 7 years
Cash Receipts | Retain for 2 years
Checks (Duplicates) | Retain for 2 years
Correspondence | Retain for 1 year
Employment applications | Solicited 2 years, unsolicited 1 year
Employee Work Schedules | Retain for 2 years
FOIA Requests and Denials | Retain for 10 years
Grant Records | Retain for 3 years after completion
Insurance Policies | Retain for 7 years after cancellation
Ledgers | Retain for 7 years
Minutes | Retain permanently
Patron Registration | Retain 1 year following expiration
Payroll Reports and Records | Retain 7 years
Personnel Files | 60 years or until employee’s 78th birthday
State and Federal Withholding Tax Records
w-4s | until superseded or for 5 years after termination, all other records 7 years
