West Central Reporter

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to McDonough County, Illinois, by West Central Reporter. The request seeks access to 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 includes:

1. Documents showing 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 individuals who requested or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

3. Records of individuals who requested or received a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Information on those who requested or received a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The West Central Reporter emphasizes the importance of accessing these public records to fulfill its role in providing transparency and holding public institutions accountable. As part of their professional responsibilities, they have also requested a fee waiver due to their status as media professionals.

The FOIA request is supported by The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in McDonough County was 12-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year, with 3,238 students enrolled and 264 full-time faculty members across the county's 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.