Prairie State Wire

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FOIA Request to Orland Fire Protection District Regarding Records on Ray Hanania, Legal Fees, and Consulting Invoices on March 12, 2025.

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we have submitted a formal request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the Orland Fire Protection District. Our request seeks detailed records related to three specific areas:

1. **Ray Hanania and Urban Strategies**: We are requesting all emails sent and received by the Orland Fire District from Ray Hanania and Urban Strategies. Additionally, we seek all press releases written by Ray Hanania and/or Urban Strategies for or on behalf of the district, as well as all invoices from these entities over the past 15 years.

2. **Legal Fees**: We have asked for records of legal fees incurred by the Orland Fire District over the past 20 years. This includes fees associated with the firm of Jim Roche or Jim Roche personally, as well as those currently handled by the firm Odelson.

3. **John Kelly – Consulting Invoices**: Our request includes all consulting invoices submitted by John Kelly to the Orland Fire District over the past decade. This encompasses invoices from his consulting firm, whose name is currently unknown.

We have requested that these documents be provided in electronic format if possible. Should any records be unavailable or exempt from disclosure, we have asked for an explanation of the specific exemptions applied.

As members of Prairie State Wire, a media organization dedicated to transparency and accountability in public institutions, access to these public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. We believe this request serves the public interest by shedding light on governmental actions and promoting transparency.

In our communication with the Orland Fire Protection District, we have also requested a fee waiver due to our role in disseminating information as media professionals. We look forward to their response regarding this request and will keep our readers informed about any developments.