A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City of Salem regarding a list of all unpaid parking violations on October 28, 2024. The request was made by us at South Central Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The specifics of the request include the names of offenders, their addresses, the amount due for each violation, the date of the violation, and the total amount due. This information is being sought under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
As a media organization, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities 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 have reached out to the City of Salem with this request and await their response. We will continue to keep our readers updated as more information becomes available.