On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 in Illinois by South Cook News. The media organization sought specific data about the current enrollment of non-U.S. citizens, also referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens", in the school district.
The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and the organization expressed a preference for receiving the information in an electronic format. As a news outlet dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate coverage of local governmental affairs, South Cook News stressed that access to public records is vital for their work.
In addition to requesting data on non-U.S. citizen enrollment, South Cook News also requested a fee waiver due to their role as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. They emphasized that such access is crucial for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
To provide some context for this request, according to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, it was reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
South Cook News continues its commitment towards transparency and accountability in local government institutions through such requests for information.
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