A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Mendota City Council on October 15, 2024. The request, issued by the Illinois Valley Times, sought detailed information about the city council members.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the Illinois Valley Times believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
The specific records requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, are as follows:
- A list of all council members with their names.
- Their respective titles.
- The year they were appointed.
- The length of their term (2 or 4 years).
- The date when their term expires.
We have asked for these records preferably in an electronic format for ease of access and dissemination. As a member of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The Mendota City Council has yet to respond to this request. We will continue to keep our readers updated as more information becomes available.
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