South West Illinois News

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Monroe County, Illinois, by SW Illinois News on June 10, 2025. The request seeks access to records concerning property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the requested documents pertain to individuals who have requested or received various forms of tax relief from Tax Year 2024 through the present.

The FOIA request outlines four categories of documents sought:

1. Records of individuals who requested or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

2. Documents related to those who applied for or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, in accordance with Illinois statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

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

4. Records concerning those who requested or were granted a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption pursuant to statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

SW Illinois News emphasizes the importance of accessing these public records as part of its mission to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable. The organization has also requested a fee waiver based on its role in disseminating information to the public.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Monroe County was reported as 16-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, highlighting the county's commitment to education alongside its responsibilities toward veterans and their families.

As members of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, SW Illinois News aims to utilize FOIA and Sunshine Laws to investigate governmental actions and inform the electorate about state and federal agencies' operations. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

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.