Lake County Gazette

FOIA Request to City of Highwood regarding a list of city employees on August 21, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Lake County Gazette to the City of Highwood, Illinois, seeking detailed information about city employees. The request, sent on August 21, 2025, asks for a comprehensive list that includes the full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary (or hourly rate if applicable), and hire/start date of all city employees.

The request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) and emphasizes the preference for receiving this data in an electronic format. The requester highlights their role as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to ensure public transparency and accountability of governmental institutions. Given this role, they also seek a fee waiver typically available to media professionals.

The email notes that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. This non-profit organization assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws to enhance public awareness about governmental actions. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations as defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act. These licenses support animal control and health programs while ensuring pets are vaccinated against diseases such as rabies.

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.