A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the City Of East Moline Finance Department on October 25, 2024. The request was made by Rock Island Today, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In our pursuit of transparency and accountability in public institutions, we sought detailed records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. Specifically, we requested information about sales tax collected from retailers from January 1, 2024, up until the present date.
The requested data include the amount of sales tax collected from retailers each month compared to projected figures and the number of active retail locations paying sales tax each month. We also asked for the names of each retailer and their gross retail sales reported monthly.
As a media organization committed to serving the public interest, we believe access to such records is crucial for our work. This data will enable us to provide an accurate picture of the city’s financial health and hold public institutions accountable. We continue to seek fee waivers as a media professional in line with our role in disseminating important information to the public.
We remain open for any questions or clarifications needed regarding this request. As always, Rock Island Today is committed to delivering comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
