South West Illinois News

FOIA Request to City of Columbia regarding vendor payment registers on November 10, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the City of Columbia by SW Illinois News on November 10, 2025. The request seeks access to vendor payment registers maintained by the city for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025. The records requested include details such as the names of vendors paid by the city, dates and amounts of payments, and descriptions or purposes of goods and services provided.

The request emphasizes that it is solely for existing records and does not seek the creation of new documents. The requester highlights their role as a member of the media in gathering and reporting news to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions. As such, they have requested a fee waiver typically granted to media professionals under these circumstances.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization based in Missouri that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website.

In Illinois, pet owners must have a license for certain pets, like dogs, and comply with state and local regulations. These licenses are defined in the Illinois Animal Welfare Act and must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Rules. The pet license typically involves a fee and must be renewed periodically. Licensing supports animal control and health programs and helps ensure that pets have the correct vaccinations, especially against deadly and highly contagious diseases like rabies.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.