East Central Reporter

FOIA Request to Jasper 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 Jasper County, Illinois, by East Central Reporter. The request seeks detailed records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the request includes documents from Tax Year 2024 to the present that identify individuals who have requested or received various forms of tax relief.

The FOIA request outlines four categories of interest:

1. Records of individuals who 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 sought or obtained a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

3. Records pertaining to the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities in accordance with statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Documentation related to the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption as per statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

East Central Reporter is dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs and emphasizes the importance of access to public records in ensuring transparency and accountability within public institutions. As part of their professional duties, they are seeking these records in an electronic format and have requested a fee waiver due to their status as media professionals.

The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government actions through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website here.

Jasper County has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1 for the school year 2022-23, with enrollment figures reaching 1,172 students across its schools supported by 79 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.