Lake County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Oak Grove School District 68 on January 13, 2025, by the Lake County Gazette. The request sought details about the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

The Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, made this request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The requested information pertains specifically to how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in the school district.

As journalists at Lake County Gazette, we believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals.

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. It's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This data will help provide context for our ongoing coverage of education issues and demographics within Lake County and beyond. We remain committed to delivering accurate and comprehensive news coverage that keeps our community informed and engaged.