SE Illinois News

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Hamilton County, Illinois, by SE Illinois News on June 10, 2025. The request seeks detailed records concerning property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses for the tax year 2024 through the present. Specifically, the request asks for documents showing individuals who have requested or received various forms of property tax relief and exemptions under Illinois law.

The requested documents include those related to 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 applied for or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-165, a Standard Homestead Exemption under 35 ILCS 200/15-169, and a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption according to 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

SE Illinois News emphasizes the importance of access to public records in fulfilling its role in providing transparency and holding public institutions accountable. As part of their request, they seek a fee waiver due to their status as media professionals. The organization is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, which aids media companies in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws.

Hamilton County's educational system had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, accommodating 1,154 students with the support of 73 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.