On January 13, 2025, we at North Cook News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Niles Elementary School District 71 in Illinois. The request pertains to the current enrollment numbers of non-U.S. citizens, also referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens", within the school district.
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to such public records is crucial. This information will enable us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We have requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and have asked for them preferably in an electronic format. As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we have also stated our eligibility for a fee waiver.
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 noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
The data requested from Niles Elementary School District 71 will further contribute to our understanding of local education trends and demographics. We await their response and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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