A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Dekalb County in Illinois regarding vendor payments on September 26, 2024. The request was made by DeKalb Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the FOIA request, we asked for a list of all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, until September 26, 2024. The requested information includes the vendor's name, transaction date, transaction description, and the amount paid.
As members of the media committed to transparency and holding public institutions accountable, we believe access to these public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. We also mentioned that as a media organization disseminating information to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver.
The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which allows citizens and organizations access to public records for increased transparency in government operations.
We await Dekalb County's response and will continue our work in keeping the public informed about their local government's activities.