East Central Reporter

FOIA Request to Edgar County regarding tax relief requests for a veteran with disabilities on June 10, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Edgar County, Illinois, by the East Central Reporter. The request seeks records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the request asks for documents showing individuals who requested or received various forms of tax relief from Tax Year 2024 through the present.

The records requested include:

1. Documents indicating individuals who have requested or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

2. Documents showing those who have applied for or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

3. Records of individuals who have sought or obtained a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Information on those who have requested or been granted a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption in accordance with statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The request emphasizes the importance of access to public records for media professionals in fulfilling their duty to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable. It also mentions that the requester is part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, an organization dedicated to assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental actions through FOIA and Sunshine Laws.

In Edgar County, the average student-to-teacher ratio was reported as 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, highlighting the educational landscape alongside ongoing civic matters such as tax relief for veterans.

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.