A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Winthrop Harbor School District 1 in Illinois on January 13, 2025. The request, sent by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought information about the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.
The FOIA request specifically asked for data on how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in the school district. As a media organization, we at Lake County Gazette believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of this request, it's worth noting some statistics regarding education in Illinois. 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. Additionally, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This data provides context for understanding the resources available to all students within Illinois schools – including those who may be non-U.S. citizens.
We at Lake County Gazette continue to strive for transparency and accountability from our public institutions and will report further as more information becomes available.
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