NW Illinois News

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Stephenson County by NW Illinois News, seeking detailed records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities. The request, sent on June 10, 2025, aims to obtain documents that cover various tax exemptions and reliefs provided from the Tax Year 2024 to the present.

The specific 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.

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

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

4. Documentation of those who requested or received a Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

NW Illinois News has emphasized the importance of these records in ensuring transparency and accountability within public institutions. The media organization has also requested a fee waiver, citing its role in disseminating information to the public.

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

Stephenson County, located in Illinois, had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year, with a total enrollment of 5,630 students and employing 443 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.