South Cook News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Elementary School District 159 in Illinois on January 13, 2025. The request, made by South Cook News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, seeks information about the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

In the FOIA request, South Cook News specifically asked for the number of "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) presently attending schools within the district. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

As a media organization, we at South Cook News believe that access to public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.

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, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

The response from Elementary School District 159 will provide valuable insight into the demographics of students currently enrolled in their schools and contribute towards our ongoing commitment to report accurately on local government affairs.