A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the City of Lebanon on October 30, 2024. The request was made by Metro East Sun, a media organization committed to delivering comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request sought records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, specifically for a list of all new residential and commercial building permits issued from January 1, 2023, up until the present date. The requested details included the type of permit, date issued, fee paid, requester's name, address, and contractor's name.
In addition to this information, Metro East Sun also requested a list of all active residential and commercial building permits along with their current status. The same details as above were requested for these active permits.
As part of its journalistic responsibility to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable, Metro East Sun emphasized its role in disseminating information to the public. As such, it believes it is eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the FOIA guidelines.
Metro East Sun remains committed to ensuring that the public has access to vital information about local government operations. This latest FOIA request is part of that ongoing commitment.
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