Southern Illinois News

FOIA Request to Hardin County regarding tax relief requests for veterans with disabilities on June 10, 2025.

On June 10, 2025, Southern Illinois News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Hardin County, Illinois. The request seeks access to documents related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the records requested include:

1. Documents showing individuals who requested or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran for Tax Year 2024 through the present.

2. Documents showing individuals who requested or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-165, for Tax Year 2024 through the present.

3. Documents showing individuals who requested or received a Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-169, for Tax Year 2024 through the present.

4. Documents showing individuals who requested or received a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption, pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-172, for Tax Year 2024 through the present.

Southern Illinois News is committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. Access to these public records is crucial in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency in government actions.

The FOIA request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), and Southern Illinois News has expressed its preference for receiving this information in electronic format. As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, they have also requested a fee waiver based on their role in disseminating information.

The requestor is affiliated with 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.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Hardin County was noted as being 14-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with an enrollment of 530 students and employment of 39 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.