East Central Reporter

FOIA Request to City of Newton regarding city employees list on August 21, 2025.

The East Central Reporter, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs, has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City of Newton in Illinois. The request, sent on August 21, 2025, seeks a comprehensive list of all city employees with specific details including full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary or hourly rate if applicable, and hire/start date. The information is requested in an electronic format.

The FOIA request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which allows for public access to government records. The East Central Reporter emphasizes the importance of these records for their role in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As a media organization involved in news dissemination, they have requested a fee waiver based on their professional responsibilities.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. This coalition aims to increase transparency and inform the American electorate about government actions. More information about this organization can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations as defined by the Illinois Animal Welfare Act. These licenses support animal control and health programs by ensuring pets are vaccinated against diseases such as rabies.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.