Southern Illinois News

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Union County, Illinois, seeking detailed records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities. The request, sent by Southern Illinois News, aims to obtain documents from Tax Year 2024 through the present date.

The requested records include documentation of individuals who have applied for or received property tax relief as a veteran with a disability or as a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran. Additionally, the request seeks information on those who have benefited from the Specially Adapted Housing Exemption and the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under specific Illinois statutes. Another focus is on those who have requested or received the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption.

Southern Illinois News emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to ensure public accountability and transparency. The organization has requested these records in electronic format and has sought a fee waiver based on their status as media professionals.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that supports media outlets and advocacy groups in investigating governmental actions using FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Union County was 13-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year, with 2,456 students enrolled and 196 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.