FOIA Request to Office of Bellwood Village President regarding law firm contracts and invoices on June 18, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Office of Bellwood Village President on June 18, 2025. The request, sent by a news reporter from West Cook News, seeks access to specific records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The records requested include all copies of contracts with the entity's law firms and all invoices submitted by these law firms over the past six months.
The request emphasizes the importance of accessing public records for media professionals in order to fulfill their role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. The requester also highlights their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
The requestor has also asked for a fee waiver based on their status as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
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