FOIA Request to City of Countryside regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
The West Cook News has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City of Countryside, Illinois. The request seeks access to records related to procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the city during the immediately preceding calendar month. This inquiry is part of an effort to gather information that holds public interest and ensures transparency in local governmental affairs.
The specific records requested include details such as the solicitation or project title, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. The West Cook News has expressed a preference for receiving these records in electronic format if available. They have also emphasized that this request does not require the creation of new documents but only pertains to existing records.
In accordance with their role as a media organization committed to providing comprehensive news coverage, West Cook News has requested a fee waiver for accessing these public records. They argue that access to such information is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website here.
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.
