Chicago City Wire

FOIA Request to Cook County Sheriff’s Office regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office by Chicago City Wire, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks comprehensive arrest records for the entire year of 2023. The requested data includes various details about each arrestee and the circumstances surrounding their arrest.

The specific information requested includes the name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status of each arrestee. Additionally, the request asks for booking IDs, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types of crimes committed, locations and dates of these crimes.

Chicago City Wire has emphasized that access to these public records is crucial for their journalistic duties. The organization aims to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public. They have also requested a fee waiver based on their role as a media outlet.

The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website here.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.