A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Kankakee County by the Kankakee Times on October 7, 2024. The request specifically sought records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, in electronic format.
The records requested include a list of FOIA logs sent to the county from January 1, 2024, until October 7, 2024. The requested fields in these logs are: Requester Name, Requester Organization, Request Content, Request Date, Request Complete Date and FOIA Status.
As representatives of the Kankakee Times, we believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include 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.
In other news related to Illinois' infrastructure development efforts, Governor JB Pritzker announced in July 2023 an extensive multi-year program called Rebuild Illinois. This program aims to improve and repair all modes of transportation across the state with an investment exceeding $40 billion over six years.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), ten major projects are currently planned or being implemented in Chicago under this program. IDOT is investing $396 million into these projects with the aim of improving safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three out of these ten projects are scheduled for completion in 2024 while the remaining seven are projected for completion between 2025 and 2030.
Additionally, IDOT has announced investments totaling $107 million into seven projects in Kane County under Rebuild Illinois. Central Cook County will also see significant infrastructural development with the program investing $220 million into ten projects for the construction of roads and bridges.