FOIA Request to Village of Lake Barrington regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by the Lake County Gazette to the Village of Lake Barrington. The request, sent on February 1, 2026, seeks access to records concerning procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the city during the immediately preceding calendar month.
The Lake County Gazette is requesting several specific details under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. These include solicitation or project titles, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. The request emphasizes that it seeks existing records only and does not necessitate the creation of new documents.
In line with their role as a media organization committed to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs, the Lake County Gazette has expressed its intention to use this information for public dissemination. They have also requested that any denial or withholding of information be accompanied by a specific statutory basis for such action and have asked for all reasonably segregable portions of records to be released.
The request further notes that due to their role in gathering and reporting news to the public, they are seeking a fee waiver as media professionals. Additionally, they highlight their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, an organization dedicated to leveraging FOIA laws to enhance transparency in government actions.
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.
