West Central Reporter

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

On June 10, 2025, West Central Reporter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Brown County Clerk's office in Illinois. The request seeks access to records related to 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 tax relief, including:

- Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

- Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

- Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

- Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The request emphasizes the importance of access to public records in fulfilling journalistic duties such as holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. The West Central Reporter is seeking these records preferably in electronic format and has requested a fee waiver based on its role as a media organization.

The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies by utilizing Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website here.

Brown County, located in Illinois, had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with an enrollment of 674 students and employment of 55 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.