West Central Reporter

FOIA Request to Cass County regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Cass County, Illinois, by West Central Reporter on November 10, 2025. The request seeks access to vendor payment registers maintained by the county for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. Specifically, the requested records should include the names of vendors paid by the county, dates and amounts of payments made, and descriptions of goods or services purchased.

The West Central Reporter is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability in public institutions, the organization has requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). The FOIA request emphasizes that it applies only to existing records and does not require the creation of new documents. The preferred format for receiving these records is electronic.

The requestor has also highlighted their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition assists media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website here.

Cass County's educational landscape features an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 for the academic year 2022-23. With a total enrollment of 2,105 students across its schools and supported by 157 full-time faculty members, Cass County continues to prioritize education within its community.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.