“List 'User Information List' does not exist at site with URL” exception for users with member permission

Introduction

I was using SharePoint rest api in order to retrieve all the departments through user information list.

Problem

I was using

_spPageContextInfo.webAbsoluteUrl + "/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('User Information List')/Items?$select=Department";

for the rest query. When I logged in as a site collection administrator, I got expected results.

But when I logged in as a site member I got the below exception.

List 'User Information List' does not exist at site with URL '<site url>'. 

Solution

Instead of using the above I used the below url and I got the expected results for users with the member permission as well.

_spPageContextInfo.webAbsoluteUrl + "_api/web/SiteUserInfoList/items?select=Department"