Lake County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Oregon Community Unit School District 220 on January 28, 2025. The request, made by Lake County Gazette, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."

The FOIA request emphasized the importance of access to public records for media professionals like us at Lake County Gazette. As a news organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we rely heavily on such information to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In line with this commitment, we have requested these documents in electronic format under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We also believe that as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver.

Oregon Community Unit School District 220 Principal Dr. Thomas Mahoney (2023) | Oregon Community Unit School District 220

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.

We will continue to keep you updated as we gather more information regarding this FOIA request and its implications for our community.