FOIA Request to Village of Elizabethtown regarding vendor payment registers on February 1, 2026.
A request has been submitted to the Village of Elizabethtown under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The request seeks access to the village’s vendor payment register for the immediately preceding calendar month. The Southern Illinois News, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs, has made this request with the aim of obtaining records that are in the public interest.
The specific information requested includes the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions of goods or services purchased. The request emphasizes that it seeks existing records only and does not require the creation of new documents. Furthermore, if any part of this request is denied or withheld, an explanation citing the statutory basis for such denial is requested along with all reasonably segregable portions of the records.
The Southern Illinois News has expressed its preference for receiving these records in electronic format if available. As a member of the media, they assert their role in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. They have also requested a fee waiver due to their status as a media professional.
This request is supported by The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at their website.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
