East Central Reporter

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Lawrence County, Illinois, on September 26, 2024. The request was made by us at East Central Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The request sought records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, specifically a list of all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, until September 26, 2024. The requested information includes the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and amount.

This information is crucial for our role in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

Will Gibson Lawrence County Clerk | Lawrence County

In other news related to Illinois's infrastructure and development projects, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program named Rebuild Illinois. This program aims to improve and repair all modes of transportation across the state. Governor JB Pritzker highlighted that over $40 billion would be invested over six years into improving roads and bridges, modernizing transit and aviation, and expanding passenger rail service.

According to further details from the Illinois Department of Transportation, ten major projects are being planned or implemented in Chicago under Governor JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program. A total investment of $396 million is being made into these projects with an aim to improve safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three out of these ten projects are scheduled for completion in 2024 while the remaining seven are projected for completion between 2025 through 2030.

Under this ambitious program, $107 million is being invested in seven projects in Kane County while $220 million is being directed towards ten projects in central Cook County for the construction of roads and bridges.