Galesburg Reporter

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

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Warren County, Illinois, by the Galesburg Reporter. The request seeks access to specific public records related to property tax relief and exemptions for veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. The records requested cover the tax year 2024 through the present.

The Galesburg Reporter is seeking documents that detail individuals who have requested or received various forms of property tax relief. These include Property Tax Relief as a Veteran with a Disability or as a Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Veteran, Specially Adapted Housing Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under 35 ILCS 200/15-165, Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities under 35 ILCS 200/15-169, and Returning Veteran’s Homestead Exemption under 35 ILCS 200/15-172.

As members of the media, we emphasize the importance of accessing public records to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency in governmental affairs. We have also requested a fee waiver based on our 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 companies and advocacy groups in investigating government actions through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website.

In Warren County, there are approximately 2,532 students enrolled across schools with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. The county employs around 199 full-time faculty members across its educational institutions.

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.