I am the employer, Xemployee request copies from his file. Can I refuse on notes ie non formal evals?

Illinois law requires that you provide the employee access to and a copy of his personnel file.  You must also provide a copy to former employees for up to 1 year after the end of their employment.  Whatever is in his/her official personnel file must be provided. There are some occasions when certain documents that may relate to the employee are kept in another file which is not the personnel file.  For example, an investigation of the employee's complaints against another employee may not be kept in the personnel file as it may contain confidential information which the employee would not typically have access to such as confidential witness statements or notes of your communications with an attorney about the employee.  But if you do place that information in the employee's personnel file, then under the law he or she is entitled to this.  If that information is kept in a separate file, then it is not considered to be part of the personnel file. If producing this information is of concern to you, you should speak to an attorney to determine what exceptions might apply, and the repercussions of not providing it, if any.