Dupage Policy Journal

FOIA Request to Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 regarding records related to Cotter Consulting and D181 Kindergarten Build-Out on July 31, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted by DuPage Policy Journal to Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181. The request seeks access to various records concerning the involvement of Cotter Consulting in the kindergarten build-out project within the district. Specifically, the requested documents include communications between Bill Cotter and Turner & Townsend Heery or any vendors such as Lite Construction, R.L. Sohol, and K.R. Miller from January 1, 2023, to the present. Additionally, bids, contracts, invoices, or procurement documents involving Cotter Consulting Inc. since January 1, 2020, are requested.

The FOIA request also seeks any disclosures of potential conflicts of interest made by Bill Cotter under board ethics policy or state law related to the kindergarten build-out. Furthermore, it requests board minutes or recordings where Bill Cotter voted on or discussed vendor selection, construction management, or project oversight for the kindergarten expansion.

The DuPage Policy Journal emphasizes that these documents are essential for fulfilling their professional responsibilities as a media organization committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. They have requested these records in electronic format and have asked for a fee waiver based on their role in disseminating information.

The Illinois Report Card indicates that in 2023, the average teacher salary in Illinois was $73,916 while administrative salaries averaged $116,908. The student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1 with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Moreover, about 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.