South Cook News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to North Palos School District 117 on January 13, 2025, by South Cook News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request sought information about the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

The FOIA request specifically asked for data on how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in the school district. This information is crucial for South Cook News' mission to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable.

As a media organization, we at South Cook News believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

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 worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This FOIA request aligns with our commitment to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs and keeping the public informed about important issues affecting their communities.