East Central Reporter

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

On June 10, 2025, East Central Reporter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Cumberland County, Illinois. The request seeks access to documents related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses for the tax year 2024 onwards. Specifically, the request asks for records of individuals who have requested or received various forms of tax relief, including:

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 under 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

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

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

The request was made by East Central Reporter, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their commitment to transparency and accountability in public institutions, they have requested these records in electronic format and are seeking a fee waiver based on their role as media professionals.

Cumberland County is located in Illinois and has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with 1,458 students enrolled and 110 full-time faculty members across its schools.

The FOIA request also highlights the involvement of 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. More information about this coalition can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

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.