NW Illinois News

FOIA Request to City of Lanark 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 Lanark, Illinois, seeking access to vendor payment registers. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and aims to obtain records from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. The requested documents include the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments, and a description or purpose of goods and services provided.

The request specifies that only existing records are sought, not the creation of new documents. This approach aligns with standard FOIA procedures which typically involve accessing already available information rather than generating new data. The requester has expressed a preference for receiving these records in electronic format.

NW Illinois News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of its journalistic responsibilities, it seeks transparency in public institutions and holds them accountable through informed reporting. In line with this mission, NW Illinois News has requested a fee waiver for this FOIA request as it serves the public interest by facilitating news dissemination.

The individual submitting the request is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition supports media companies and advocacy groups in their efforts to investigate government agencies using FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website.

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.