South Central Reporter

FOIA Request to City of Virden regarding a list of city employees on August 21, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the City of Virden, Illinois, by South Central Reporter. The request seeks access to records concerning all city employees. Specifically, the requested information includes the full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary (or hourly rate if applicable), and hire/start date for each employee. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

The South Central Reporter is a media organization focused on delivering comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. In their communication with the City of Virden, they emphasized the importance of accessing public records to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions. They also requested that the information be provided in an electronic format and asked for a fee waiver due to their role as a media outlet.

The requester identified themselves as part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More details about this organization can be found on their website at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations. These licenses are defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act and must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Rules. Licensing supports animal control and health programs and helps ensure that pets have the correct vaccinations against diseases like rabies.

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.