On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Elmwood Park Community Unit School District by West Cook News. The media organization, known for its comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.
The request specifically asked for data on how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are presently enrolled in the district's schools. This information is vital for the media outlet's ongoing coverage of educational trends and demographics in Illinois.
As members of West Cook News, we believe access to public records is crucial in fulfilling our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we consider ourselves eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
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 stood at $116,908. The report also highlighted that the average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1 and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Furthermore, it revealed that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
As we continue to gather and report news to our readership, we appreciate all efforts by public institutions like Elmwood Park Community Unit School District to provide us with accurate and timely information.
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