A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Wilmington Community Unit School District 209u on January 28, 2025. The request, made by the Will County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. As members of the media, we at the Will County Gazette are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In addition to this request, it's important to note some 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, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Furthermore, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
These figures provide context for our ongoing efforts at the Will County Gazette to ensure transparency and accountability within our educational institutions. As we continue our work, we believe access to these requested documents will be crucial in informing our reporting and ultimately serving our readership with accurate information about their local government affairs.
Alerts Sign-up