FOIA Request to Hamilton County regarding employee overtime records on February 1, 2026.
A request has been submitted to Hamilton County under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) by SE Illinois News. The request seeks access to the county’s employee overtime records for the immediately preceding calendar month. The requested information includes the name and job title of each employee, their department or office, the dates and number of overtime hours worked, and the compensation paid for this overtime work.
The request emphasizes that it is limited to existing records and does not necessitate the creation of new documents. In case any part of the request is denied or withheld, a specific statutory basis for such denial is requested along with all reasonably segregable portions of the records. SE Illinois News prefers to receive these records in electronic format if available.
SE Illinois News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As members of the media, they assert that access to public records is crucial for fulfilling their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. They have also requested a fee waiver based on their role as media professionals.
The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids news media companies and advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website here.
Hamilton County, located in Illinois, had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with 1,154 students enrolled across its schools supported by 73 full-time faculty members.
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.
