Metro East Sun

FOIA Request to City of Lebanon regarding a list of city employees on August 21, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by Metro East Sun to the City of Lebanon, Illinois, seeking detailed records concerning city employees. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, and emphasizes the preference for receiving the information in an electronic format.

The requested records include a comprehensive list of all city employees with specific details such as full name, sex, race, job title, department or division, annual salary or hourly rate if applicable, and hire/start date. This information is sought to aid in reporting on local governmental affairs and ensuring transparency and accountability within public institutions.

Metro East Sun is a media organization dedicated to providing accurate news coverage on local government matters. As part of their journalistic duties, they aim to hold public institutions accountable by accessing public records that can inform the public about governmental actions. Given their role in disseminating information to the public, Metro East Sun has requested a fee waiver typically available to media professionals.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri. This coalition supports media companies and advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. Their mission is to promote transparency and inform the American electorate about government activities. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets like dogs and comply with state and local regulations as defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act. These licenses support animal control programs and ensure pets have necessary vaccinations against diseases like rabies.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.