South Central Reporter

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3. The request was made by South Central Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The request emphasized the importance of access to public records for the media in fulfilling their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

South Central Reporter also highlighted its eligibility for a fee waiver as a media professional given its role in disseminating information to the public.

Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3 Principal David Powell (2023) | Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3

In relation to this, it's worth noting some key data about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Furthermore, it was reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As we continue our commitment to reporting on local governmental affairs, we at South Central Reporter believe that these requests for information not only hold institutions accountable but also shed light on important issues affecting our communities.