Lake County Gazette

FOIA Request to Hawthorn Woods Village President regarding law firm contracts and invoices on June 18, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Hawthorn Woods Village President by a representative from the Lake County Gazette. The request seeks access to all copies of contracts with the village's law firms and all invoices submitted by these firms over the past six months. This request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the documents in electronic format.

The requester, representing Lake County Gazette, emphasizes the importance of accessing public records to fulfill their role in gathering and reporting news to the public. They highlight their responsibility in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency. Furthermore, they have requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional.

The requester is also affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.