FOIL stands for Freedom of Information Law, which (in short) enables anyone to request access to and copies of state and local government records.
City Request
To make a FOIL request, fill out a Freedom of Information Record Access Request Application. This form is available from the Communications Department, Room 202A, City Hall, 30 Church St. This form is not available online, but if you call (585) 428-7135, you may request that they fax a form to you.
Monroe County Request
FOIL on County Communications Page
A request for access to records should be made to Noah Lebowitz, Records Access Officer for the County of Monroe, Communications Department, 204 County Office Building, 39 West Main St., Rochester, NY 14614. The phone number is 585 753-1080. Or, you may download and complete a Freedom of Information Request form (PDF) and can fax it to the Department at 585 753-1068.
State Request
Federal Request
For federal requests, consult Freedom of Information Act.
Mathematical Meaning
In Rochester as elsewhere, FOIL is understood to mean "First-Outer-Inner-Last," as a mnemonic for use in multiplying binomials.