Lake County Gazette

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Township High School District 113 in Illinois by the Lake County Gazette. The request sought to ascertain the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

The Lake County Gazette is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in public institutions, they requested this information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

In addition to requesting these records, the Lake County Gazette also sought a fee waiver as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. They argued that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities.

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. Furthermore, it was noted that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This data provides context for understanding the resources available within Illinois schools and highlights why such requests from media organizations like Lake County Gazette are important for ensuring transparency and accountability within our education system.