Peoria Standard

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the County of Woodford School District in Illinois. The request was made by Peoria Standard, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for electronic format delivery.

As representatives from Peoria Standard, we believe that access to public records is crucial 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.

According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This data provides an important context for our FOIA request as it highlights key aspects of education in Illinois. It also underscores the importance of transparency in understanding how educational policies and practices impact students and teachers alike.

We at Peoria Standard will continue our commitment to provide comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs while promoting transparency within public institutions.