On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the River Grove School District 85-5 in Illinois. The request, made by West Cook News, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study.”
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, West Cook News emphasized its role in gathering and reporting news to the public. The access to public records is essential for the media outlet to fulfill its professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
The request also highlighted that given their role in disseminating information, they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
In related news, according to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, it was found that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
The response from River Grove School District 85-5 regarding this FOIA request is awaited with interest as it may shed light on important aspects of education policy within the district.
