Will County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Rockdale School District 84 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by us at the Will County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The request seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. These records are being sought under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, preferably in electronic format.

As a media organization, we 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.

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, it's reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We will continue to provide updates as this story unfolds.