A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City of Beardstown regarding unpaid parking violations on October 28, 2024. The request was made by us at West Central Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically asked for a list of all parking violations currently unpaid in the city. This includes details such as the name of the offender, their address, the amount due, violation date, and total due. The information was requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and we expressed a preference for receiving it in an electronic format.
As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
We will continue to follow up on this request and provide updates as they become available.
Alerts Sign-up