Lake County Gazette

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Round Lake Community Unit School District 116 in Illinois by the Lake County Gazette. The media organization is seeking information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens, often referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens," currently enrolled in the school district.

The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and the organization expressed a preference for receiving the information in an electronic format. As a media outlet dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the Lake County Gazette believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In addition to requesting this specific data, we also requested a fee waiver as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public.

According to the Illinois Report Card, as of 2023, the average state teacher salary was $73,916 while the state average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is reported as being 141:1 and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, it's noted that 58% of teachers in Illinois have earned a master's degree or higher.

This request for information forms part of our ongoing commitment to keep our readers informed about local educational issues and demographics within our school districts. We will continue working diligently towards obtaining this information and ensuring transparency within our community's educational system.