East Central Reporter

Winnebago County is facing legal action from its Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) following a dispute over budget allocations. The Illinois Military Veterans Assistance Act, recently amended, mandates counties to fund their VACs through a tax levy or other means. The Act specifies that county boards must provide necessary funds as recommended by the assistance committee of the veterans service organization or VAC.

Funding can be sourced from a tax levy, county general funds, and state funds via the Illinois Department of Human Services. Section 5-2006 of the Counties Code allows counties to levy a tax up to .03%, or .04% if approved by referendum.

The Act also requires VACs or their Superintendents to file suit in circuit court seeking Mandamus against counties refusing to provide requested funds. It outlines requirements for counties, including providing office space, equipment, employee benefits equivalent to those given to county employees, and funding approved by the Commission.

Section 11 restricts counties from acting inconsistently with the Act.

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County claims that instead of approving their proposed budget, which was required by law, Winnebago County implemented its own budget for the VAC. This budget was nearly $521,000 less than what the Commission had approved. As a result, last fall saw an announcement from the VAC about eliminating transportation and homeless support services for veterans. This month they announced suspending general and emergency assistance due to insufficient funding.