NW Illinois News

FOIA Request to City of Rochelle regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by NW Illinois News to the City of Rochelle, Illinois, seeking access to specific financial records. The request, dated November 10, 2025, asks for copies of existing vendor payment registers maintained by the city for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025.

The requested records include detailed information such as the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments made, and a description or purpose of goods and services provided. The request emphasizes that it seeks only documents that already exist and does not require the creation of new records.

NW Illinois News is a media organization dedicated to delivering comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. The organization has requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which facilitates public access to government documents in order to promote transparency and accountability.

In addition to requesting these records in an electronic format for ease of access and analysis, NW Illinois News has also sought a fee waiver. This is based on their role as a media entity engaged in gathering and disseminating information to the public. Such waivers are often granted when requests serve a public interest by contributing significantly to public understanding of government operations.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that supports media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA requests. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations. These licenses are defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act and must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Rules. Licensing supports animal control and health programs ensuring pets have correct vaccinations 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.