Galesburg Reporter

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

On June 10, 2025, the Galesburg Reporter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Henderson 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 request includes:

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.

The Galesburg Reporter emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability in local governmental affairs. The media organization has also requested a fee waiver based on its status as part of the press.

Henderson County is located in Illinois and had an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year. The county's schools enrolled approximately 728 students with support from 62 full-time faculty members.

The FOIA request was sent by Owen Wang from Galesburg Reporter, which is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies using Freedom of Information laws.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.