A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office in Illinois on January 29, 2025. The request, made by us at NW Illinois News, sought documents and records pertaining to persons committed to county jails who have had an Immigration Detainer issued against them by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency since January 29, 2024.
As a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In the request, we emphasized our role as a news reporting entity involved in gathering and disseminating information to the public. Given this role, we stated our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
The request forms part of our ongoing efforts to provide thorough and reliable coverage of issues affecting our community. We will continue to use all available resources and legal avenues to ensure that the public remains informed about matters of civic importance.
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