Lake County Gazette

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34 by the Lake County Gazette. The media organization, known for its comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, requested information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

The Lake County Gazette emphasized their role as a news reporting entity in this request, highlighting their commitment to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. They also noted that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities.

In addition to requesting these enrollment numbers, the Lake County Gazette also sought clarification on whether they would be eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

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

As we at Lake County Gazette continue our efforts towards increased transparency and accountability in local government affairs, we await a response from Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34 regarding our request.