East Central Reporter

FOIA Request to Richland County regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by East Central Reporter to Richland County, Illinois, seeking access to specific financial records. The request, dated November 10, 2025, aims to obtain copies of the county's vendor payment registers for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025.

The requested records should include details such as the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments made, and descriptions of goods or services purchased. The East Central Reporter has specified a preference for receiving these documents in electronic format if available. The request emphasizes that it pertains only to existing records and does not require the creation of new documents.

East Central Reporter is a media organization dedicated to delivering accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The requestor has also highlighted their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. This non-profit organization assists media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating government agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws.

In addition to requesting the records, East Central Reporter has asked for a fee waiver based on their role in gathering and disseminating news to the public. They argue that access to public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.

Richland County serves as an educational hub with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. The county had an enrollment of 2,254 students with 134 full-time faculty members across its schools.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.