FOIA Request to Knox County Sheriff’s Department Regarding 2024 Arrest Records on January 7, 2025. As part of our ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the Galesburg Reporter have formally requested access to specific public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
Our request pertains specifically to a list of all arrests made in the county from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The details we seek include the arrestee’s name, date of arrest, gender, race, date of birth and the crime committed.
As media professionals involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, access to such public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include 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 a media professional.
We look forward to cooperating with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department in this matter and will continue striving towards maintaining transparency within our community.
