Illinois Valley Times

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

The Illinois Valley Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Bureau County, Illinois, seeking access to vendor payment registers. The request was made on November 10, 2025, and specifically asks for records covering the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. The requested records should include the names of vendors paid by the county, the dates and amounts of payments made, and descriptions of the goods or services purchased.

The Illinois Valley Times is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. In line with its mission to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions, the organization has requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). The request emphasizes that it applies only to existing documents and no new documents need to be created. Furthermore, it requests that the information be provided in electronic format if available.

The requestor has identified themselves as a member of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. This non-profit Missouri corporation assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

In Bureau County, where this request is directed, there were approximately 4,427 students enrolled during the 2022-23 school year with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 across its schools.

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.