A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Ridgeland School District 122 in Illinois on January 13, 2025, by South Cook News. The media organization is seeking information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens, also referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens," currently enrolled in the school district.
South Cook News, committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, made this request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. They requested that the information be provided in an electronic format if possible.
The media outlet emphasized their role in gathering and reporting news to the public and stated that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given their role in disseminating information, South Cook News believes 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. It's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
As South Cook News continues its mission to shed light on local governmental affairs through rigorous journalism, it awaits a response from Ridgeland School District 122 regarding its recent FOIA request.
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