Lake County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 on January 28, 2025. The request, made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."

The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The Lake County Gazette requested these records in electronic format, stating their role as a media organization in gathering and reporting news to the public. They argued that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In light of their role in disseminating information, they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.

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

As we continue our mission at Lake County Gazette to provide comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs, we will keep you updated with any developments regarding this FOIA request.