Will County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Union School District 81 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by the Will County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. 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 line with our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals. This request is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that local government entities are transparent in their operations.

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

As we continue our investigative work into local governmental affairs, we remain committed to providing accurate and comprehensive news coverage for our readers. We believe that access to such information is not only a right but also an essential tool for ensuring accountability within our public institutions.