Rock Island Today

FOIA Request to Mercer County Regarding Vendor Payments from January 1, 2024, till September 26, 2024.

As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, Rock Island Today has sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Mercer County. The request was sent on September 26, 2024, and seeks records of all payments made to vendors within the specified period.

The specific details requested include the vendor name, transaction date, transaction description, and the amount for each payment. This information is crucial in our ongoing efforts to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.

Dusty Terrill Mercer County Sheriff | Official Website

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced in July 2023 the most extensive multi-year program, Rebuild Illinois, to improve and repair all modes of transportation. Governor JB Pritzker said, "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 the Illinois Department of Transportation, JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program is planning or implementing ten major projects in Chicago. The program is investing $396 million in these projects to improve safety and mobility on Illinois's roads and bridges. Three of the ten projects are scheduled to be completed in 2024, and the remaining seven are projected to be completed from 2025 through 2030. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that they are investing $107 million in seven projects to be completed in Kane County under the Rebuild Illinois program. The Rebuild Illinois program is investing $220 million in ten projects in central Cook County to construct roads and bridges.

At Rock Island Today, we believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. As such, we continue to strive for transparency and accountability in all public institutions.