DeKalb Times

On September 26, 2024, we at DeKalb Times submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Dekalb County, Illinois. The request was made for a comprehensive list of all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, till the date of the request. The information sought includes vendor names, transaction dates, descriptions of transactions, and the amounts involved.

This request is part of our commitment as a media organization to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In other news related to Illinois's infrastructure spending, in July 2023, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Rebuild Illinois - an extensive multi-year program aimed at improving and repairing all modes of transportation. Governor JB Pritzker stated that over $40 billion would be invested over six years in bettering roads and bridges, modernizing transit and aviation, and expanding and speeding up passenger rail service.

Amanda Christensen Regional Superintendent | Dekalb County

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, ten major projects are planned or being implemented in Chicago under the Rebuild Illinois program. A total investment of $396 million is earmarked for these projects with an aim to improve safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three out of these ten projects are scheduled for completion in 2024 while the remaining seven are projected for completion between 2025 through 2030.

The department also announced that it will invest $107 million in seven projects slated for completion in Kane County under the same program. In central Cook County, ten projects will see an investment of $220 million for road and bridge construction as part of Rebuild Illinois.