NW Illinois News

FOIA Request to City of Rochelle regarding city employees list on August 21, 2025.

A request was made to the City of Rochelle under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) for a comprehensive list of all city employees. The request, sent by NW Illinois News, seeks detailed information about each employee, including their full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary or hourly rate if applicable, and hire/start date. The request emphasizes the importance of accessing public records to ensure transparency and accountability within governmental institutions.

The requestor has expressed a preference for receiving this information in electronic format and has also requested a fee waiver based on their role as a media professional. This waiver is sought due to their involvement in gathering and reporting news to the public. The media organization believes that access to such records is crucial for fulfilling its responsibilities of holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency.

The individual making the request is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies by leveraging Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website here.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations as defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act. These licenses support animal control and health programs while ensuring pets are vaccinated against diseases like rabies.

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.