North Cook News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the East Prairie School District 73 on January 13, 2025 by North Cook News. The media organization is seeking information about the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

In the request, North Cook News expressed its commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their mission to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public, they requested details on how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in the school district.

The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for an electronic format response. North Cook News also mentioned its eligibility for a fee waiver as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news 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, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As we continue our reporting efforts at North Cook News, access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. We believe that this information will contribute significantly towards our goal of ensuring transparency and accountability within our local educational institutions.