A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lee County Sheriff's Department regarding a comprehensive list of all arrests made in the year 2024. The request was made on January 7, 2025.
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs at NW Illinois News, we sought this information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We requested that the records be provided in an electronic format for ease of access and analysis.
The specific details requested included the arrestee's name, arrest date, gender, race, date of birth, and the crime committed. This information is crucial in ensuring transparency and accountability within our local law enforcement agencies.
As a media organization dedicated to gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such 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 a media professional.
We look forward to a positive response from the Lee County Sheriff's Department as we continue our work in promoting transparency and accountability within our community.
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