Prairie State Wire

FOIA Request to McLean County Sheriff regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the McLean County Sheriff by Prairie State Wire, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to all arrest records from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The requested data includes detailed information such as the arrestee's name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, it asks for booking ID numbers, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types of crimes committed, locations and dates of those crimes.

The request emphasizes the importance of accessing public records for journalistic purposes. Prairie State Wire asserts that this information is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency in government actions. They also mention their eligibility for a fee waiver due to their role as a media organization.

Furthermore, the email highlights the involvement of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy in assisting with this request. This non-profit organization supports media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More details about their mission can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

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.