East Central Reporter

FOIA Request to Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, Illinois. The request seeks detailed records concerning property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses for the tax year 2024 through the present. Specifically, the requested documents include:

1. Records of 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 pertaining to those who have sought or been granted a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, in accordance with Illinois statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

3. Information on individuals who have applied for or obtained a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Records related to requests or grants of the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption, pursuant to statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

East Central Reporter emphasizes the importance of accessing these public records to ensure transparency and accountability within public institutions. As part of its commitment to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs, East Central Reporter has requested these documents in electronic format and has also sought a fee waiver based on its status as a media organization.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies by utilizing Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Lawrence County was reported as 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, reflecting an enrollment of 1,945 students across the county's schools supported by 154 full-time faculty members.

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.