NW Illinois News

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Ogle County Treasurer's Office by NW Illinois News on June 10, 2025. The request seeks detailed records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the request covers several categories of tax relief measures for the tax year 2024 through the present.

The requested documents include those showing individuals who have requested or received Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran. Additionally, it seeks records concerning those who have applied for or received a Specially Adapted Housing Exemption under Illinois law (35 ILCS 200/15-165). Other documents sought include those related to the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (35 ILCS 200/15-169) and the Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-172).

NW Illinois News is committed to providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of its journalistic duties, it aims to hold public institutions accountable and ensure transparency in governmental operations. The organization has requested these records in electronic format and has also asked for a fee waiver due to its role as a media entity.

The requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government agencies using FOIA and Sunshine Laws. This coalition supports efforts to increase transparency and inform the American public about government actions.

The average student-to-teacher ratio in Ogle County was 14-to-1 in the 2022-23 school year, with 8,316 students enrolled and 610 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.