FOIA Request to Monroe County regarding vendor payment registers on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Monroe County, Illinois, by Prairie State Wire, a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to the county’s vendor payment register for the immediately preceding calendar month. The records requested include the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased.
The request emphasizes that it is intended to gather information of public interest for dissemination. It specifies that the request is limited to existing records and does not require the creation of new documents. In case any part of the request is denied or withheld, Prairie State Wire has asked for the specific statutory basis for such denial and requests that all reasonably segregable portions of the records be released.
Prairie State Wire has expressed willingness to receive these records in electronic format if available. Additionally, as a member of the media involved in gathering and reporting news, they have requested a fee waiver based on their role in providing transparency and holding public institutions accountable.
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 here.
Monroe County’s educational system comprises 5,049 students with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year 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.
