East Central Reporter

FOIA Request to Crawford County Regarding FOIA Logs from January to October 2024 on October 7, 2024.

A request was sent by us at East Central Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request, under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), sought records in electronic format of all FOIA logs sent to Crawford County from January 1, 2024 till October 7, 2024. The fields requested included the requester's name and organization, content of the request, date of the request and its completion date, as well as the status of the FOIA.

As a media outlet involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These 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 media professionals.

In related news, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program, Rebuild Illinois, aimed at improving and repairing all modes of transportation. Governor JB Pritzker said that over $40 billion would be invested over six years into better roads and bridges, modernized transit and aviation systems, as well as expanded and faster passenger rail service.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program is planning or implementing ten major projects in Chicago with an investment of $396 million. These projects aim at improving 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. Additionally, the department announced that they are investing $107 million in seven projects to be completed in Kane County under the Rebuild Illinois program. Central Cook County is also set to benefit from this program with an investment of $220 million in ten projects for road and bridge construction.