FOIA Request to Gallatin County regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
On February 1, 2026, Prairie State Wire submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Gallatin County, Illinois. 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 inquiry is part of Prairie State Wire’s commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The specific records requested include details such as the solicitation or project title, 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 is limited to existing records and does not require the creation of new documents. Prairie State Wire has expressed a preference for receiving these records in electronic format if available.
The FOIA request highlights the importance of access to public records for media professionals in fulfilling their responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. As a member of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating state and federal governmental agencies—Prairie State Wire is seeking a fee waiver due to its role in disseminating information to the public.
Gallatin County’s educational system boasts an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 for the 2022-23 school year, with 695 students enrolled and 56 full-time faculty members across its schools.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
