South Cook News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 on January 28, 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 request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a media organization, we are involved in 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we 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 FOIA request aims at fostering transparency within educational institutions like Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124. It is part of our ongoing efforts at South Cook News to keep citizens informed about their local government operations.