Illinois Valley Times

FOIA Request to City of Peru regarding a list of city employees on August 21, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by the Illinois Valley Times to the City of Peru, Illinois, seeking detailed information about city employees. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and aims to obtain a comprehensive list of all city employees with specific details.

The requested information includes the full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary (or hourly rate if applicable), and hire/start date for each employee. The Illinois Valley Times has expressed a preference for receiving this data in electronic format to facilitate their reporting efforts.

As part of their role in providing news coverage on local governmental affairs, the Illinois Valley Times emphasizes the importance of access to public records. They argue that such transparency is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and informing the public effectively. Additionally, they have requested a fee waiver for this FOIA request due to their status as a media organization.

The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies by utilizing Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations. These licenses are defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act and must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Rules. Licensing supports animal control and health programs and helps ensure that pets have the correct vaccinations against diseases like rabies.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.