On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Morton Grove School District 70 in Illinois by North Cook News. The request sought information about the number of non-U.S. citizens, referred to as "migrants" in the email, currently enrolled in the school district.
North Cook News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their commitment to transparency and accountability, they requested this data under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
In addition to requesting specific enrollment numbers, North Cook News also made a case for a fee waiver based on their role as a media professional. They argued that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
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 enough, it's reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
As we continue our work at North Cook News, we believe that these requests are vital for understanding how our educational system functions and who it serves. We will keep our readers updated on any developments regarding this FOIA request.
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