FOIA Request to Dekalb County regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
On February 1, 2026, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Dekalb County by DeKalb Times. The request seeks access to records related to procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the county during the immediately preceding calendar month. This request is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
The specific records requested include details such as solicitation or project titles, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. The request emphasizes that it seeks existing records only and does not require the creation of new documents. If any part of this request is denied or withheld, DeKalb Times has asked for the specific statutory basis for such denial and requests that all reasonably segregable portions of the records be released.
DeKalb Times is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. The requester highlights their role in gathering and reporting news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency. As such, they have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.
Additionally, it is noted that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
The average student-to-teacher ratio in DeKalb County was 14-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year, with 16,139 students enrolled and 1,174 full-time faculty members across the county’s schools.
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.
