On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Park Forest School District 163 in Illinois by South Cook News. The request sought to obtain information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.
The FOIA request specifically asked for the number of "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) presently enrolled in the school district. As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, South Cook News underscored that access to public records is essential for fulfilling their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In line with this commitment, South Cook News has been actively involved in gathering and reporting news to the public and believes they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
In related news, 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, it's also reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
South Cook News continues its dedication towards ensuring transparency and accountability within public institutions through its investigative journalism efforts.
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