South Cook News

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Bremen Community High School District 228 by South Cook News. The media organization is seeking access to all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

South Cook News, dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. They expressed their preference for receiving the documents in an electronic format.

The media organization explained its role in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is deemed 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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

The request from South Cook News aligns with their commitment to transparency and accountability in local government affairs. It remains unclear what specific information they hope to uncover with these keywords or how it relates to broader issues within Illinois education system. However, it demonstrates a continued effort by media organizations like South Cook News to scrutinize public institutions' operations and ensure they are serving their communities effectively.