Dupage Policy Journal

On January 13, 2025, we at the DuPage Policy Journal submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Maercker School District 60 in Illinois. The request seeks information about the number of non-U.S. citizens, often referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens," currently enrolled in the school district.

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe this information is crucial for maintaining transparency and holding public institutions accountable. As media professionals, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities.

In addition to this request, it's important to consider the broader context of 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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We are awaiting a response from Maercker School District 60 regarding our FOIA request and will continue to report on this matter as more information becomes available.