A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City Of Salem Finance Department regarding city sales tax records on October 31, 2024.
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. We sought specific information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for an electronic format.
The requested records include a list of businesses that paid sales tax to the city from January 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024. The details required for each business were its name, type, and the amount of sales tax it paid during this period.
Additionally, we asked for the total amount of sales tax that the city collected within this same timeframe.
As a media organization 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 are awaiting a response from the City Of Salem Finance Department and will keep our readers updated on any developments.
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