East Central Reporter

The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of Sangamon County has initiated legal action against the county. The lawsuit stems from a budget dispute, where the county approved a budget for the VAC that was approximately $200,000 less than what the commission had sanctioned. This discrepancy has reportedly left the VAC short of necessary funds to fulfill its mission for the current fiscal year.

The situation has been described locally as "two different interpretations of the law." The Illinois Military Veterans Assistance Act, recently amended, mandates that counties fund their respective Veterans Assistance Commissions through tax levies or other means. According to Section 2(1) of this act, county boards are required to provide necessary funds as recommended by veterans service organizations or commissions.

Funding for these commissions can be sourced from a tax levy, county general funds, and state funds provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Counties Code allows counties to levy a tax not exceeding .03%, or up to .04% if approved by referendum.

Section 2(2) of the act empowers the VAC or its Superintendent to file suit in circuit court seeking Mandamus against a county that refuses to allocate requested funds. Furthermore, Sections 10(e), (f), and (g) outline requirements for counties regarding funding and services provided to their VACs. These include offering office space, equipment, employee benefits equivalent to those received by county employees, and covering payroll funding and expenses as approved by the commission.

Finally, Section 11 restricts counties from actions inconsistent with the provisions of this act.