Chambana Sun

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Rantoul City School District 137 in Illinois regarding emails and memos on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Chambana Sun, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The specific records requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, were copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The requested documents are preferred in an electronic format.

Chambana Sun is involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given their role in disseminating information, they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.

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 request for information comes at a time when transparency in educational institutions is being highly prioritized by media organizations like Chambana Sun. As such requests continue to be made across various districts in Illinois, it underscores the importance of maintaining clear communication lines between these institutions and the public they serve.