South Central Reporter

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

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

The specific documents requested 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 applied for or been granted a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under the statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

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

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

The South Central Reporter emphasizes its role in gathering and disseminating news to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency. The organization has requested these records in electronic format and has also asked for a fee waiver, citing its status as a media professional.

Additionally, 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 using FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website here.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Clinton County was reported as 15-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with an enrollment of 5,102 students and employment of 351 full-time faculty members across county 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.