Michael Downey, Sheriff at Kankakee County | https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/
Michael Downey, Sheriff at Kankakee County | https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/
FOIA Request to Kankakee County Sheriff regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.
The Kankakee Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Kankakee County Sheriff. The request seeks comprehensive arrest records for the entire year of 2023. The information requested includes detailed data points such as the arrestee's name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, it requests booking IDs, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types and locations of crimes committed, and dates of these crimes.
The request emphasizes the importance of access to public records for media professionals in fulfilling their role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. The Kankakee Times has also requested a fee waiver based on its status as a media organization. This request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), with a preference for receiving the data in electronic format.
The email notes that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
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.
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