South Cook News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 on January 13, 2025. The request was made by South Cook News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically asked for the number of "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) currently enrolled in the school district. As members of the media, we at South Cook News are committed to gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In addition to this information request, it's important to note some key statistics about education in Illinois. 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, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We believe that this data will provide valuable context for understanding how resources are allocated within our schools and how diverse populations are served. We look forward to sharing this information with our readers once it becomes available.

We continue to strive for transparency and accountability in all aspects of local government, including our educational institutions. If you have any questions or concerns about this FOIA request or any other matter related to local governance or education policy, please do not hesitate to contact us at South Cook News.