On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Rosemont Elementary School District 78 by North Cook News. The media organization, which is committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.
In their request, North Cook News specified that they were interested in the number of "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) currently studying in the district's schools. They expressed that access to such public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
North Cook News also pointed out their role as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Given this role, they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
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 await a response from Rosemont Elementary School District 78 regarding this FOIA request, we at North Cook News remain committed to providing our readers with timely and accurate information about our local educational institutions.
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