Sangamon Sun

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Menard County by Sangamon Sun, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses for the tax year 2024 onwards.

The specific documents requested include:

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

2. Documents showing individuals who have requested or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, in accordance with 35 ILCS 200/15-165.

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

4. Documents showing individuals who have requested or received a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption, under 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

The request emphasizes the importance of access to public records for media professionals in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency. As such, Sangamon Sun has also sought a fee waiver based on its role in disseminating information to the public.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, an organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found here.

Menard County, located in Illinois, had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with 2,268 students enrolled and 187 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.