A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Fayette County Clerk’s office on January 14, 2025. The request was made by us at South Central Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request sought records related to the upcoming 2025 Consolidated Elections. Specifically, we asked for a list of candidates running in these elections. The information requested included each candidate’s name, the date they filed their candidacy, and the office they are running for.
As journalists at South Central Reporter, we emphasized our role 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.
We believe that as a media organization disseminating information to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We await a response from the Fayette County Clerk’s office regarding this important request.
