A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City of Mendota, Illinois, on October 30, 2024. The request was made by us at the Illinois Valley Times, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically sought records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We requested a list of all new residential and commercial building permits issued from January 1, 2023, up until the present date. The details we asked for included the type of permit, date issued, fee paid, requester's name, address, and contractor's name.
Additionally, we also requested a list of all active residential and commercial building permits along with their current status. The same details as above were requested for these active permits.
As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, 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. In light of our role in disseminating information to the public at large, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
We are awaiting a response from the City of Mendota regarding this request.
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