Kankakee Times

On September 26, 2024, we at the Kankakee Times sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Kankakee County in Illinois. The request was made for a list of all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, till September 26, 2024. The requested details include the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and amount.

As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program, Rebuild Illinois, to improve and repair all modes of transportation. Governor JB Pritzker said, "Over the next six years, we're investing over $40 billion to improve all modes of transportation across our great state. That means better roads and bridges, modernized transit and aviation, and expanded and faster passenger rail service."

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program is planning or implementing ten major projects in Chicago. The program is investing $396 million in these projects to improve safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three of the ten projects are scheduled to be completed in 2024, and the remaining seven are projected to be completed from 2025 through 2030.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that they are investing $107 million in seven projects to be completed in Kane County under the Rebuild Illinois program. The Rebuild Illinois program is investing $220 million in ten projects in central Cook County to construct roads and bridges.

We will continue to keep the public informed about these developments and how taxpayer money is being utilized in these important infrastructure projects.