Freedom of Information Guide
 
Peoria Heights Public Library

Posted in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/4

 

Information about The Peoria Heights Public Library 

The Peoria Heights Public Library serves a community of over 5,908 residents in Peoria Heights, Illinois. The library also provides services to reciprocal borrowers from the Resource Sharing Alliance, Reaching Across Illinois Library System and all visitors to the library.

The Peoria Heights Public Library is a village library established under the Illinois Local Library Act, 75 ILCS 5, with a 7-member Board of Trustees elected by the residents of Peoria Heights.

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 purpose of the Peoria Heights Public Library is to serve library users and their educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs through the library’s own collection and its access to other information resources. 

 

PEORIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY’S WEBSITE

http://www.peoriaheightslibrary.com

 

GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET
The fiscal year budget for 2025-2026 is $549,850. Library funding comes primarily from an annual tax levy on property in The Village of Peoria Heights. Secondary sources of funding include replacement taxes, Illinois State Library Per Capita Grants, interest on financial accounts, donations and library fees. The most current Budget and Appropriation Resolution as well as our Levy Resolution are available on our website at http://www.peoriaheightslibrary.com/about and in person at the library’s front desk.

 

PEORIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF

When fully staffed, the library employs 5 full time employees and 4 part time employees. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PEORIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES

The Peoria Heights Public Library is governed by an elected, unpaid, seven-member board of library trustees. Trustees are elected by residents of The Village of Peoria Heights.

 

Current Board Members are:

•    President – Amy Peck   

•    Vice President – Lisa Brown

•    Secretary – Lisa Reinholtz

•    Treasurer – Patty Johnson

•    Trustee – Becci Bush

•    Trustee – Stefanie Crawford

•    Trustee – Jayne Metz

 

Monthly board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30 PM. Meetings typically take place in the Local History Room of the Peoria Heights Public Library.

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The Peoria Heights 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.

 

PEORIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY FOIA OFFICER

Library Director: Shawn Edwards (sedwards@peoriaheightslibrary.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:

•    Mail
Attn: FOIA Officer
816 East Glen Ave.
Peoria Heights, IL 61616

•    Email
sedwards@peoriaheighslibrary.com

•    Personal delivery
During regular business hours of the Peoria Heights 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:
1)    First 50 pages black and white, letter size: Free
2)    10 cents per page for black and white, letter size, after 50 pages
3)    25 cents per page for color or oversized copies or electronic media
4)    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, the library’s FOIA officer will contact 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, the library’s FOIA officer will contact 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
public.access@ilag.gov
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. 
http://www.peoriaheightslibrary.com/about

 

Records                                      Time Frame
Meeting Minutes                        Current to one year previous
Meeting Agendas                       Current to one year previous
Budget and Appropriations        Current Fiscal Year
Levy Resolution                          Current Fiscal Year

PEORIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY’S RECORD RETENTION SCHEDULE
Peoria Heights Public Library 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
Audit Reports                                                                                                  Retain permanently
Bank Statements, Deposits, Paid Bills, Reconciliations, Cancelled Checks      Retain for 7 years
Employment applications                                                                                Retain for 1 year
Employee Work Schedules                                                                              Retain for 2 years
Grant Records                                                                                                 Retain for 3 years after                                                                                                                                  completion
Ledgers                                                                                                            Retain for 7 years
Minutes                                                                                                            Retain permanently
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
Treasurer’s Reports                                                                                           Retain for 7 years