South Cook News

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Sunnybrook School District 171. The request, issued by South Cook News, sought to uncover the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

South Cook News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. In their quest for transparency and accountability from public institutions, they often utilize the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to gain access to public records.

In this particular request, South Cook News asked for information regarding the number of "migrants" (referred to as illegal aliens or non-U.S. citizens) currently enrolled in Sunnybrook School District 171. They expressed their preference for receiving this data in an electronic format.

As part of their mission as a media outlet, South Cook News emphasized their role in gathering and reporting news to the public. They asserted that access to such public records is crucial for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities. Given their role in disseminating information, they believe they are eligible for 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, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This FOIA request is part of South Cook News' ongoing efforts to shed light on issues related to education and immigration within local communities.