The last week has seen major developments in veteran support, both at the national and the state levels. 

At the national level, you've likely heard the news that Secretary Erick Shinseki stepped down on Friday, May 30 as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs.  As the VA moves forward under new leadership in addressing the unacceptable situation in its healthcare system, the men and women of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs - many of whom are veterans themselves - remain committed to helping our state's nearly 800,000 veterans and their families.   We look forward to working with Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson and others to help the VA restore the trust and confidence with our veterans.

At the state level, you may have heard that the General Assembly closed out its legislative session last week, passing on the last day a Fiscal Year 2015 budget. While the budget bills passed last week don't fully fund the Governor's FY15 budget request for IDVA, we are actively working through how to manage this budget - even as we fully expect the General Assembly's reconvening later in the fiscal year to identify a better revenue solution. We have no current plans to close facilities or conduct layoffs.  Veterans are of the highest priority to Governor Quinn, and he has directed us to manage this budget to protect critical veteran services as we await further action by the General Assembly later in the year.

In the meantime, all of us at IDVA continue to press forward in ensuring the veterans we serve continue to receive the support and assistance they need.  We are here, on duty, and focused on serving those who have served.  

Please visit our website or follow us on facebook and / or twitter to keep up-to-date on news and information about what's happening in the veteran community of Illinois.  To connect directly with one of our Veteran Service Officers and learn more about the resources available to you, simply Stand Up And Be Counted or call 800-437-9824.  We look forward to hearing from and serving you!

Sincerely,

Erica Borggren

Director, IDVA

Recent media reports have caused some confusion regarding the continuing availability of veteran education benefits through the Illinois Veterans' Grant (IVG) and the Illinois National Guard Grant (ING) program at Illinois community colleges.  Those reports have centered on the fact that the General Assembly has not funded IVG and ING in recent years.  We at IDVA have heard from many veterans who are worried about losing their IVG benefit.

Veterans should rest assured, though, that IVG and ING are mandated entitlement programs and will continue to be awarded to eligible service members and veterans.  Indeed, Illinois' public universities and community colleges have continued to waive tuition for IVG and ING-eligible veterans over the last several years, even absent IVG and ING funding.