FOIA Request to Hamilton County regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Hamilton County, Illinois, by SE Illinois News on February 1, 2026. The request seeks access to records related to procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the county during the immediately preceding calendar month. This inquiry is made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format.
The specific records requested include details such as solicitation or project titles, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. The aim is to gather information of public interest for dissemination to the public without necessitating the creation of new documents.
SE Illinois News emphasizes that if any part of this request is denied or withheld, they require a specific statutory basis for such denial along with all reasonably segregable portions of the records. They also express willingness to receive these records electronically if available.
As a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs, SE Illinois News underscores its role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. They assert eligibility for a fee waiver due to their status as media professionals involved in gathering and reporting news.
The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Hamilton County’s educational landscape includes an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1 for the 2022-23 school year, accommodating 1,154 students with 73 full-time faculty members across its schools.
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.
