South Central Reporter

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

On June 10, 2025, South Central Reporter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Washington County, Illinois. The request seeks detailed records concerning property tax relief applications and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses for the tax year 2024 onwards. Specifically, the requested documents include:

1. Records of individuals who have applied for or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

2. Records of those who have applied for or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

3. Documents related to applications or grants of the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities according to statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Records showing applications or approvals for the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

South Central Reporter emphasizes its role in gathering and disseminating news to hold public institutions accountable and ensure transparency. As part of this mission, they are requesting these records in an electronic format and are seeking a fee waiver due to their status as media professionals.

The FOIA request is supported by The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

Washington County is known for its commitment to education, boasting an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year 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.