Dupage Policy Journal

On January 13, 2025, we at the DuPage Policy Journal submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Bensenville School District 2 in Illinois. The request sought information regarding the number of non-U.S. citizens, often referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens," currently enrolled in the school district.

The FOIA request was made in line with our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As a media organization, we rely heavily on access to public records to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In light of our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

To provide further context for this inquiry, it's important to consider some statistics about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Additionally, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As always, we at DuPage Policy Journal remain committed to providing transparent and reliable information about local government affairs and educational matters.