Sangamon Sun

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Sangamon County on June 10, 2025, by the Sangamon Sun. The request seeks detailed records related to property tax relief and exemptions provided to veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses for the tax year 2024 through the present.

The request specifically asks for documents that show individuals who have requested or received various forms of property tax relief. These include 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, and Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The FOIA request emphasizes the importance of access to public records in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency. It also mentions that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website.

Sangamon County is located in Illinois and has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 14-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with an enrollment of 26,582 students and 1,902 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.