FOIA Request to the Office of Matteson Village President regarding law firm contracts and invoices on June 18, 2025.
On June 18, 2025, South Cook News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Office of Matteson Village President. The request seeks access to all copies of contracts with the village's law firms and all invoices submitted by these firms over the past six months. This request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the documents in electronic format.
The requester, representing South Cook News, emphasizes their role in gathering and reporting news related to local governmental affairs. The organization highlights its commitment to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As a media professional, they have requested a fee waiver based on their eligibility as members of the press.
Additionally, South Cook News is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests. More information about this coalition can be found on their website at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.