A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Newton City Council in Illinois on October 15, 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.
In our pursuit of transparency and accountability, we requested specific records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The information sought pertains to the council members of the Newton City Council. We have asked for this data preferably in an electronic format for ease of access and dissemination.
The specific fields we requested for each council member include their name, title, year they were appointed, term length (2 or 4 years), and the date their term expires. This information is vital in our efforts to keep the public informed about their elected officials and their tenure in office.
As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We will continue striving towards maintaining transparency between local government bodies and the public they serve. If you have any questions regarding this request or need further clarification, please feel free to contact us at East Central Reporter.
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