Sangamon Sun

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Macon County, Illinois, by Sangamon Sun, seeking detailed records concerning property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities. The request specifically asks for documents related to individuals who have requested or received various forms of tax relief from the year 2024 to the present.

The requested documents include:

1. Records of individuals who have sought or obtained Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran.

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

3. Information on individuals who have requested or been granted a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-169.

4. Records of those who have applied for or received a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The request highlights the importance of access to public records in promoting transparency and accountability within governmental institutions. It also mentions that Sangamon Sun is part of The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, an organization dedicated to uncovering government actions through FOIA and Sunshine Laws.

Macon County is home to numerous educational institutions, where the average student-to-teacher ratio was reported as 16-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. This involved approximately 14,880 students and 921 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.