Sangamon Sun

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lincoln Elementary School District 27. The request was made by us at Sangamon Sun, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request sought information about the number of non-U.S. citizens or 'migrants' currently enrolled in the school district. This term was used to refer to individuals who may be classified as illegal aliens or non-U.S. citizens.

As a media organization, we believe that access to public records is crucial for our role in gathering and reporting news to the public. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we requested a fee waiver as a media professional.

According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We are committed to ensuring that this information is shared with our readership in an effort to promote transparency and accountability within our local school districts.