FOIA Request to City of Prospect Heights regarding vendor payment registers on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the City of Prospect Heights by North Cook News, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to the city’s vendor payment register for the immediately preceding calendar month. The records requested include the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased.
The request emphasizes that it is aimed at gathering information of public interest for dissemination to the public. It specifies that only existing records are sought and does not require the creation of new documents. If any part of the request is denied, North Cook News asks for a specific statutory basis for denial and requests that all reasonably segregable portions be released.
North Cook News also requests a fee waiver based on its role in gathering and reporting news to the public, asserting that access to public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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.
