Illinois Valley Times

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

The Illinois Valley Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Perry County, Illinois, seeking records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities. The request, sent on June 10, 2025, aims to obtain documents that detail individuals who have requested or received various forms of tax relief from the year 2024 through the present.

Specifically, the request seeks:

- Documents showing individuals who requested and/or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

- Documents pertaining to those who applied for or were granted a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

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

- Documentation of requests or approvals for the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The Illinois Valley Times emphasizes its role in gathering and disseminating news to the public, highlighting the importance of access to public records in ensuring transparency and accountability within governmental institutions. As part of their request, they have asked for a fee waiver based on their status as media professionals.

Additionally, the requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, an organization dedicated to promoting transparency by assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government actions through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

In Perry County, there are currently 2,492 students enrolled across schools with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 14-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. This reflects the county's commitment to providing quality education while managing resources effectively.

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.