SE Illinois News

FOIA Request to Gallatin County regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Gallatin County, Illinois, seeking access to vendor payment registers for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. The request was made by SE Illinois News, a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs comprehensively and accurately.

The records requested include details such as the names of vendors paid by the county, the dates and amounts of payments made, and descriptions of the goods or services purchased. The request specifies that only existing records are needed and no new documents should be created. Additionally, it is preferred that these records be provided in electronic format if available.

SE Illinois News emphasized the importance of accessing public records to fulfill its role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. As a member of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, SE Illinois News has requested a fee waiver based on its professional responsibilities.

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 organization can be found on their website.

Gallatin County is known for its educational institutions with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. The county had an enrollment of 695 students supported by 56 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.