West Central Reporter

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Hancock County, Illinois, by the West Central Reporter. The request seeks records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the request covers several categories of documents from Tax Year 2024 through the present.

The requested documents 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, it seeks records pertaining to those who have applied for or been granted a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under Illinois statute 35 ILCS 200/15-165. Furthermore, the request includes documents related to the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-169 and the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under statute 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

West Central Reporter is committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of this mission, they are requesting these records to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions. The organization has also requested a fee waiver, citing its role in disseminating information as a media professional.

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

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Hancock County was 13-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year, with 2,755 students enrolled and 214 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.