Dupage Policy Journal

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Darien School District 61 on January 13, 2025 by the DuPage Policy Journal. The request sought to ascertain the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.

In our role as a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

The FOIA request was made with the aim of understanding the demographic makeup of students in the district. It specifically asked for data regarding how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in Darien School District 61.

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, about 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability in public institutions, we believe it's important for this information to be accessible and understood by all stakeholders involved in our education system.

We at DuPage Policy Journal continue to work diligently towards ensuring that accurate information about our local government and its operations is available to all members of our community.