South Cook News

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Elementary School District 159. The request, sent by South Cook News, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.

The requested records were asked to be provided in an electronic format for ease of access and review. The keywords specified in the request were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study." These terms are likely related to educational programs or initiatives within the district.

As representatives of South Cook News, we aim to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.

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. Furthermore, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This data highlights the investment made into education by Illinois' government bodies. However, it also underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within these institutions. As such, we at South Cook News continue to pursue these records requests in order to provide our readers with a thorough understanding of how their local schools operate.

We await a response from Elementary School District 159 regarding this FOIA request.