FOIA Request to City of Des Plaines regarding new contracts or amendments on February 1, 2026.
On February 1, 2026, Prairie State Wire submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City of Des Plaines, Illinois. The request sought access to records concerning new contracts and any amendments to existing contracts that were executed, approved, or became effective during the immediately preceding calendar month. This request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
The requested records include several specific details: the title of the contract or amendment, names of contracting parties involved, effective and approval dates, contract amounts or amended values, and descriptions of the goods or services covered. The purpose of this request is to gather information deemed in the public interest for dissemination by Prairie State Wire.
The FOIA request emphasized that it is limited to existing records and does not necessitate the creation of new documents. It also requested that if any part of the request is denied or withheld, a specific statutory basis for such denial should be provided along with all reasonably segregable portions of the records.
Prairie State Wire has expressed willingness to receive these records in electronic format if available. Additionally, they have requested a fee waiver based on their role as a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency.
The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website here.
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.
