FOIA Request to Woodford County Sheriff's Office Regarding 2024 Arrest Records on January 7, 2025.
We at the Peoria Standard, a media organization dedicated to delivering comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, have submitted a request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) for access to specific records.
The requested records include a list of all arrests made within Woodford County from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The information sought includes the arrestee's name, date of arrest, gender, race, date of birth, and the crime committed.
As members of the media engaged in gathering and reporting news to the public, we believe that access to public records is vital for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities 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.
We await a response from the Woodford County Sheriff's Office regarding this request and will continue our efforts in ensuring transparency in local government affairs.