A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Dekalb County, Illinois, on September 26, 2024. The request was made by DeKalb Times, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In the request, we asked for a list of all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, till September 26, 2024. The requested data includes the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and the amount paid.
As a media organization, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which 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 Dekalb County's response and will continue our efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in local government spending.