A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District 73 on January 13, 2025, by the Lake County Gazette. The request seeks to obtain information about the number of non-U.S. citizens, referred to as “migrants” in the document, currently enrolled in the school district.
As a news organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Lake County Gazette believe that access to public records is crucial for our work. It allows us to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.
In addition to this specific data request, we have also requested a fee waiver as a media professional. We argue that our role in disseminating information qualifies us for such an exemption under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
In related news, 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 noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
We will continue our efforts to provide comprehensive coverage of local government affairs and maintain transparency within our community.
