West Central Reporter

On September 26, 2024, we at West Central Reporter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Brown County. The request sought detailed information regarding all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, until the date of the request.

The specifics of the request included obtaining a list with fields such as vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and amount. As an organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In relation to this matter, it's worth noting that the Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program called Rebuild Illinois. This initiative aims to improve and repair all modes of transportation across the state. Governor JB Pritzker highlighted that over $40 billion would be invested over six years in bettering roads and bridges, modernizing transit and aviation, and expanding and speeding up passenger rail service.

Betty Coonrod Public Health Administrator at Brown County Health Department | Official Website

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program is planning or implementing ten major projects in Chicago alone. The program is investing $396 million in these projects aimed at improving safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three out of these ten projects are scheduled for completion in 2024.

Furthermore, under the Rebuild Illinois program, seven projects are slated for completion in Kane County with an investment of $107 million. Additionally, central Cook County will see an investment of $220 million towards constructing roads and bridges through ten different projects.

As we continue our reporting work at West Central Reporter, we believe that gaining access to public records like vendor payments will provide crucial insights into how taxpayer money is being utilized within these extensive infrastructure projects.