Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lake Bluff Elementary School in Illinois. The request, made by the Lake County Gazette, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.

The requested keywords were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The requester expressed preference for receiving the records in an electronic format.

As representatives of the Lake County Gazette, we believe access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have also requested a fee waiver as media professionals.

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

This FOIA request aligns with our commitment at Lake County Gazette to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. We will continue working tirelessly to ensure transparency and accountability within our local institutions.