Macon Reporter

FOIA Request to Dewitt County Regarding Vendor Payments from January 1, 2024, till September 26, 2024.

In a bid to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions, we at Macon Reporter have sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Dewitt County. The request, dated September 26, 2024, seeks records of all payments made to vendors within the specified period.

The requested information includes the vendor's name, transaction date, description of the transaction, and the amount paid. This comprehensive list will provide insight into how public funds are being spent and help us in our role as media professionals committed to providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

Michelle Van Valey Circuit Clerk | Dewitt County

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 at Macon Reporter believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. We will continue to seek and disseminate such information in the interest of the public.