Chicago City Wire

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Chicago Public School District 299 by us at the Chicago City Wire on January 28, 2025. The request sought access to all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to these public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In our role as disseminators of information, we requested a fee waiver as media professionals under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. This Act provides a legal framework for accessing public records while protecting individual privacy.

Pedro Martinez Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools | Chicago Public Schools

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. It's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

The requested documents will provide valuable insights into how these resources are being utilized within the district and may shed light on educational strategies employed by Chicago Public School District 299.

We look forward to working with CPSD299 in ensuring transparency in their operations and providing our readers with accurate information about local government affairs.