Chambana Sun

FOIA Request to Vermilion County regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

On November 10, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Vermilion County by Chambana Sun, a media organization dedicated to providing thorough and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to the county's vendor payment registers for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. Specifically, the records requested include the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments made, and descriptions of goods or services purchased during this timeframe.

The request emphasizes that it applies only to existing records and does not require the creation of new documents. It also specifies a preference for receiving these records in electronic format if available. The requester has highlighted their role as a member of the media in gathering and reporting news to the public. They argue that access to such public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.

Chambana Sun is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

Vermilion County, located in Illinois, had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 14-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. The county's schools enrolled 11,118 students with 771 full-time faculty members at that time.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.