East Central Reporter

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Shelby County, Illinois, by East Central Reporter, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. 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 from Tax Year 2024 to the present concerning individuals who have requested or received:

1. Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

2. Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, in accordance with 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

3. Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption, under 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The East Central Reporter emphasizes the importance of accessing public records to ensure transparency and accountability in government actions. As part of their role in gathering and disseminating news, they have requested these records in electronic format and are seeking a fee waiver based on their status as media professionals.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. This coalition aims to enhance public awareness by providing insights into government operations.

Shelby County's educational landscape includes an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, serving nearly 3,000 students across its schools.

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.