Kane County Reporter

On September 26, 2024, we at the Kane County Reporter sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Kane County. The request sought details about all payments made to vendors from January 1, 2024, until September 26, 2024.

The specific fields requested included the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and the amount of each payment. As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to these public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities.

This information will help in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.

In related news, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program, Rebuild Illinois. This initiative aims to improve and repair all modes of transportation across the state. Governor JB Pritzker commented on this ambitious plan saying "Over the next six years, we're investing over $40 billion to improve all modes of transportation across our great state. That means better roads and bridges, modernized transit and aviation, and expanded and faster passenger rail service."

According to official sources, ten major projects are currently being planned or implemented in Chicago under JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program. These projects have been allocated an investment of $396 million with the aim of improving safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges.

Three out of these ten projects are scheduled for completion in 2024 while the remaining seven are projected for completion between 2025 through 2030. Notably, Kane County is set to benefit from an investment of $107 million in seven projects under this program.

The Rebuild Illinois program is also investing $220 million in ten projects in central Cook County for the construction of roads and bridges. These developments underscore the state's commitment to improving its infrastructure and providing better facilities for its residents.