West Cook News

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 by West Cook News. The request sought access to copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”.

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at West Cook News believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In light of our role in disseminating information, we requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We expressed preference for receiving these records in an electronic format.

Dr. Ushma Shah Superintendent at Oak Park Elementary School District 97 | Official Website

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. Furthermore, the average student-to-administrative ratio is recorded as 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Interestingly enough, about 58% of teachers in Illinois have earned a master's degree or higher.

Our FOIA request forms part of our broader efforts to shed light on issues that matter most to our community. By gaining access to these records, we hope to provide our readers with greater insight into local governmental affairs and continue promoting transparency within our public institutions.