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FOIA Information

What is FOIA?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that grants the public the right to access government records to ensure transparency and accountability. Under FOIA, individuals can request records from federal, state, and local government agencies, including public housing authorities like the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA).

Why is FOIA Important?

  1. Promotes Government Transparency – FOIA ensures that public agencies operate openly, allowing citizens to stay informed about policies, decisions, and actions that affect their communities.
  2. Encourages Accountability – By allowing public access to government records, FOIA helps prevent mismanagement, corruption, or unethical behavior.
  3. Empowers Citizens – FOIA enables journalists, researchers, and residents to request critical information, making it easier to advocate for their rights, address concerns, or verify facts.
  4. Supports Public Participation – Access to government records helps individuals and organizations engage in informed discussions about housing policies, community programs, and other public services.


At Rockford Housing Authority (RHA), we are committed to openness and compliance with FOIA to ensure our community members have access to important public records related to housing policies, program administration, and decision-making processes. To learn how to submit a FOIA request, keep reading below.

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How to Submit

Additional Information:

To submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA), please follow these steps:

  1. Prepare Your Request:

    • Information to Include:
      • Your Full Name: Provide your complete legal name.
      • Contact Information: Include your mailing address, phone number, and email address.
      • Description of Records: Clearly describe the records you are seeking. Be as specific as possible to assist RHA in identifying the documents.
      • Purpose of Request: Indicate whether the request is for commercial purposes.

  2. Submit the Request:

    • Online, By Mail or In Person:
      • Address your request to:
        Rockford Housing Authority
        Attn: FOIA Officer Felice Woitynek
        223 S. Winnebago Street
        Rockford, IL 61102
    • By Email:

  3. Await Response:

    • RHA will respond to your FOIA request within five (5) business days from the date of receipt.
    • If an extension is necessary, RHA may extend the response time by an additional five (5) business days and will inform you of the reason for the extension.
    • For commercial requests, the timeframe is twenty-one (21) business days from the date of receipt.
  • RHA’s business hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
  • For questions or assistance, you can contact the FOIA Officer at (815) 489-8540.
submit foia request online
mail | in-person foia request form

*Please note that certain records may be exempt from disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. If your request is denied, RHA will provide an explanation for the denial.

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Within 5 years the RHA will re-establish itself as high performing agency that is a leader in housing and sustainable communities by developing additional, non-HUD revenue streams, increasing our asset base and offering state of the art resident initiatives.

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