FOIA Request to Gallatin County regarding tax relief requests for a veteran with disabilities on June 10, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Gallatin County, Illinois, by SE Illinois News on June 10, 2025. The request seeks 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 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, records are sought for those who have requested or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-165; a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-169; and a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-172.
SE Illinois News is seeking these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, emphasizing the importance of access to public records in fulfilling their role in providing transparency and holding public institutions accountable. They have also requested that the information be provided in electronic format and have applied for a fee waiver as media professionals.
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 organization can be found on their website.
Gallatin County has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, serving 695 students with the help of 56 full-time faculty members 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.
