On September 26, 2024, we at NW Illinois News sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Jo Daviess County in Illinois. The request was for records detailing all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, until the date of the request.
The requested records include specific fields such as the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and the amount involved in each transaction. This information is vital for our comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs and will help us provide transparency to the public about how public funds are being utilized.
In addition to our role as a media organization committed to accurate news reporting, we also strive to hold public institutions accountable. Access to these public records will aid us in fulfilling our professional responsibilities.
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program, Rebuild Illinois, aiming to improve and repair all modes of transportation. Governor JB Pritzker stated that over $40 billion would be invested over six years into improving transportation across Illinois. This includes 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 aimed at improving safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three of these projects are scheduled for completion in 2024 while the remaining seven are projected for completion between 2025 through 2030.
Furthermore, under the Rebuild Illinois program, an investment of $107 million has been allocated towards seven projects in Kane County. In central Cook County too, ten projects have been earmarked with an investment of $220 million for constructing roads and bridges.
We believe that access to the requested records will help us provide a more detailed report on how these funds are being utilized, thereby contributing to transparency and accountability in public spending.
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