FOIA Request to Marion County regarding vendor payment registers on February 1, 2026.
On February 1, 2026, Prairie State Wire, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs, submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Marion County, Illinois. The request seeks access to the county’s vendor payment register for the preceding calendar month. The information requested includes the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased.
The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. Prairie State Wire emphasized that they prefer receiving this information in electronic format. The organization highlighted its role in gathering and reporting news to ensure public institutions are held accountable and transparency is maintained. They also requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media entity.
Prairie State Wire is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit corporation dedicated to 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 here.
Marion County’s educational system currently maintains an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 for the 2022-23 school year, with a total enrollment of 6,223 students and 481 full-time faculty members across its 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.
