FOIA Request to Wayne County regarding procurement bids and RFP submissions on February 1, 2026.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Wayne County, Illinois, by SE Illinois News on February 1, 2026. The request seeks access to records concerning procurement bids and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) received by the county during the preceding calendar month. The requested information is sought in electronic format if available.
The records requested include several specific details: the solicitation or project title, names of bidders or proposers, submission dates, bid amounts or proposed costs, and descriptions of the goods or services proposed. This request is aimed at gathering information of public interest for dissemination to the public. It emphasizes that it does not require the creation of new documents but seeks existing records only.
SE Illinois News has highlighted its role as a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The organization argues that access to these public records is essential for fulfilling its professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As such, they have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.
Additionally, SE Illinois News is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists 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.
The average student-to-teacher ratio in Wayne County was 13-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year, with 2,363 students enrolled and 187 full-time faculty members across the county’s 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.
