Paris District 95 board of trustees approved a $75,000 settlement agreement related to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit during its regular school board meeting on April 20. The settlement follows the district’s refusal in 2023 to provide a federal grand jury subpoena connected to an alleged investigation into federal grant funding.
The case was brought by Edgar County Watchdogs, Inc., who reported that the district has paid or will soon pay $75,000 for attorney fees incurred during both circuit and appellate court proceedings. The district also provided the unredacted subpoena last week as part of the resolution.
A representative from Edgar County Watchdogs said, “It is unfortunate that the district refused to comply with the FOIA request back in 2023 when they should have provided the requested record(s) – this is the cost of their noncompliance.”
Edgar County Watchdogs relies on support from small individual donations, according to the official website. The organization promotes informed communities by enhancing oversight of local governing entities through accessible public information according to its official website.
Members affiliated with Edgar County Watchdogs include individuals associated with organizations such as Investigative Reporters and Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists according to its official website. Notable figures like John Kraft and Kirk Allen are among its editors, authors and researchers according to its official website.
The group aims to foster accountability, truth and transparency in local governance through document-based journalism according to its official website, and delivers reporting on issues across Illinois according to its official website.
