FOIA Request to the Office of Richton Park Village President regarding law firm contracts and invoices on June 18, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Office of Richton Park Village President by South Cook News on June 18, 2025. The request seeks access to all copies of contracts with the entity's law firms and all invoices submitted by these law firms over the past six months. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
The requester, representing South Cook News, emphasized their role as a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. They highlighted that access to public records is crucial for fulfilling their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public. Additionally, they requested a fee waiver based on their status as media professionals.
The requester also noted their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies through FOIA requests. More information about this coalition can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.