Lake County Gazette

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 in Illinois. The request, issued by Lake County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

In an effort to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable, we at Lake County Gazette requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities.

The request specifically asked for data on how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in the school district. This information is considered essential for providing a clear picture of the demographic composition within local educational institutions.

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. Interestingly enough, it was found that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We believe that having access to this information will not only contribute to our ongoing coverage of local government affairs but also promote transparency within our community's educational system.