A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City Of Woodstock Finance Department on October 25, 2024. The request, filed by us at the Lake County Gazette, sought detailed records related to sales tax collected from retailers within the city.
In our quest for transparency and accountability in local government affairs, we asked for specific information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. We requested electronic records of sales tax collected from retailers starting from January 1, 2024 till the present date.
The data requested included monthly comparisons of actual sales tax collected versus projected figures. Additionally, we asked for the number of active retail locations paying sales tax each month and their names. To provide a comprehensive view of the retail landscape in Woodstock, we also requested gross retail sales reported by each retailer for every month.
As a media organization committed to delivering accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to such public records is crucial for us. It allows us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that as media professionals engaged in gathering and reporting news to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver for this request. We await a response from the City Of Woodstock Finance Department and will continue our efforts to keep our readers informed about local governmental affairs.
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