Illinois Valley Times

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

On June 10, 2025, Illinois Valley Times submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Putnam County, Illinois. The request seeks access to records concerning property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the request covers several categories of documents from Tax Year 2024 through the present.

The requested documents include those showing individuals who have requested or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran. Additionally, the request seeks information on those who have applied for or been granted a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165. The request also includes documents related to the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169 and the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

Illinois Valley Times is committed to transparency and accountability in local governmental affairs. Access to these public records is crucial for reporting news that holds public institutions accountable. As members of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, we are part of an organization that assists media companies in investigating governmental agencies using FOIA and Sunshine Laws.

Putnam County's educational landscape features an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, accommodating 790 students with the support of 65 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.