Lake County Gazette

FOIA Request to City of Highwood regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

The Lake County Gazette has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City of Highwood in Illinois. The request seeks access to existing vendor payment registers maintained by the city for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. The requested records should include details such as the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments, and the purpose or description of goods and services provided.

This request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which allows individuals and organizations to access public records held by government bodies. The requester emphasizes that they are seeking only existing documents and not asking for the creation of new records.

The Lake County Gazette is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. Access to these public records is deemed essential for their role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. As part of their request, they have also sought a fee waiver due to their status as a media professional.

The requestor is 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 coalition can be found on their website here.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets, like dogs, and comply with state and local regulations. These licenses are defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act and must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Rules. The pet license typically involves a fee and must be renewed periodically. Licensing supports animal control and health programs and helps ensure that pets have the correct vaccinations, especially against deadly and highly contagious diseases like rabies.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.