FOIA Request to McLean County Il Clerk & Elections Division Regarding Upcoming Election Candidates on February 5, 2025.
In our continuous effort to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the McLean County Times have submitted a request for records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The request was made in electronic format for convenience and efficiency.
Our request includes a detailed list of all candidates running in the upcoming election. We asked for each candidate's first, middle, and last names along with the office they are running for and its jurisdiction. Additionally, we requested information about each candidate's party affiliation.
We also sought contact information for each candidate, including their address, phone number, and email address. This information is crucial as it allows us to reach out to candidates directly for comments or clarification on their campaign promises or political stances.
As members of the media, our role involves gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which 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 will continue our pursuit of transparency and accountability from public institutions as part of our commitment to serving our readers with comprehensive local government news coverage.