A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Earlville Community Unit School District 9 regarding specific emails and memos on January 28, 2025. The request, sent by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, or 5 ILCS 140, allows for such requests as part of its commitment to transparency in public institutions. The Lake County Gazette has stated that access to these records is crucial for their journalistic responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
As a media organization, we at the Lake County Gazette believe we are eligible for a fee waiver due to our role in disseminating information to the public. We are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability within our local government.
In relation to this story, it's worth noting some key statistics about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
We await a response from Earlville Community Unit School District 9 regarding our FOIA request and will continue our work towards providing comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs.
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