File a Cultural Affairs and Special Events FOIA Request

DCASE FOIA Request Log > FOIA Request

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state law that provides citizens with access to public records. Each City department is a separate agency responsible for maintaining its own records, so requests should be submitted to the department that maintains the records you want.

All Freedom of Information requests submitted to City of Chicago departments must include the following information:

The name, mailing address and contact information of the requester;
A description of the records that are being requested.

Cultural Affairs and Special Events FOIA Information:

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) maintains the following categories of records:

Press releases, brochures, calendars and other marketing materials about current programs and exhibitions presented by DCASE
Archival records of past programs and exhibitions
Personnel and payroll records
Grant applications and fact sheets on available DCASE grants
Film projects in the City of Chicago (excluding locations of film projects prior to completion of filming – protected information for closed sets.)
Outside contracts for festivals and events (Cleaning, security, event partners, Port-a-lets)
Information related to DCASE produced Festivals and Events (Performer contracts and Sponsorship contracts are proprietary information.)
Information related to Neighborhood festivals (however DCASE does not produce these events and does not enter into any contracts related to them.)
Information related to Walks and Runs (however DCASE does not produce these events with the exception of Race to Taste and does not enter into any contracts related to them.)
Information related to Parades (however DCASE does not produce these events with the exception of the Memorial Day Parade and does not enter into any contracts related to them.)
Taste of Chicago Restaurant vendor process

Please note: records listed on this page may not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Requests can be emailed, mailed, faxed or dropped off in person.

For Cultural Affairs and Special Events FOIA requests, write to:

Email: DCASEFOIA@cityofchicago.org

Fax: 312.744.8520

Mail:                                        Cindy Gatziolis
                                                 Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
                                                 Chicago Cultural Center
                                                 78 E. Washington St., Rm. 410
                                                 Chicago, IL 60602

Please note that all FOIA requests are posted online. FOIA requests are public information, and when you submit a FOIA request, your name and information about the request will be made available on the City's website.

Please be specific about the information you are seeking, and indicate the exact locations and dates. Please indicate in your request how you would like the information sent to you (via email, mail, or available to pick up at our office).

Due to our request volume, the most efficient way for us to respond to questions is via email: DCASEFOIA@cityofchicago.org

Click here for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program & Initiative Page