Will County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Joliet Public School District 86. The request was made by the Will County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The Will County Gazette requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, preferably in an electronic format.

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

Joliet Public School District 86 Principal Dr. Theresa Rouse (2023) | Joliet Public School District 86

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. It's also worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

The Joliet Public School District has yet to respond to this FOIA request. We will continue our efforts in ensuring transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.