A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City Of East Peoria regarding new and active residential and commercial building permits on October 30, 2024. The request was made by the media organization, Peoria Standard.
In our quest for transparency and accountability in local governmental affairs, we sought records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. Specifically, we requested a list of all new residential and commercial building permits issued from January 1, 2023, till the date of the request. The information sought includes details such as the type of permit, date issued, fee paid, requester's name, address, and contractor's name.
Additionally, we asked for a list of all active residential and commercial building permits along with their current status. Similar details were requested for these active permits as well.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive news coverage on local government matters, access to public records is crucial for us. It enables us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
We believe that as a media organization disseminating information to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver under FOIA provisions. We await a positive response from the City Of East Peoria in our pursuit of public service journalism.
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