East Central Reporter

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

On June 10, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Clay County, Illinois, by East Central Reporter. The request seeks records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. 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 for the tax year 2024 through the present.

2. Documents showing those who have requested or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-165, from the tax year 2024 onward.

3. Information on individuals who have sought or obtained a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under 35 ILCS 200/15-169 for the same period.

4. Records concerning those who have applied for or been granted a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption according to 35 ILCS 200/15-172 since the tax year 2024.

The East Central Reporter is committed to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs and emphasizes the importance of access to public records in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. The organization has also requested a fee waiver based on its role in disseminating information as part of the media.

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. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

Clay County, located in Illinois, had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with an enrollment of 2,195 students and 173 full-time faculty members across its schools.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.