Chris Watkins Sheriff | Peoria County
Chris Watkins Sheriff | Peoria County
On September 26, 2024, we at the Peoria Standard submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Peoria County. The request sought records of all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, until September 26, 2024. Specifically, we requested information regarding the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and amount.
As journalists committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
This request comes in light of the Illinois Department of Transportation's announcement in July 2023 about Rebuild Illinois - the most extensive multi-year program aimed at improving and repairing all modes of transportation. Governor JB Pritzker stated that over the next six years, more than $40 billion would be invested in enhancing roads and bridges, modernizing transit and aviation, and expanding passenger rail service.
Nathan Hoerr County Board District 8
| Peoria County
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, ten major projects are planned or being implemented in Chicago under Rebuild Illinois. A total investment of $396 million is being made towards these projects to improve safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three out of these ten projects are scheduled for completion in 2024 while the remaining seven are projected for completion between 2025 through 2030.
In Kane County alone, seven projects worth $107 million are set to be completed under this program. Meanwhile, central Cook County will see an investment of $220 million towards ten infrastructure projects. As part of our ongoing coverage on local government spending and transparency initiatives like Rebuild Illinois, we continue seeking access to relevant public records.
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