Next DAV Meeting: Tuesday January 13 at 5:00 PM Rolland Lewis Community Bldg.

Veterans Assistance Commission of Jefferson County Illinois

VAC's Purpose:
  • Exclusively serve the veterans and their families.
  • Aid in filing VA Disability Compensation, serving as a Veteran Service Officer.  
  • Aid in filing VA Pensions, Aid and Attendance, and Burial Assistance.  
  • Provide payments for necessities such as past-due rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
  • Provide contact information to useful services such as food banks and other charitable organizations.  
  • Serve as the hub for all veteran’s assistance in Jefferson County.  
  • Report annually to the Governor and Jefferson County Board of the financial impact VAC has had in the community.
History of Illinois Veterans Assistance Commission

  • The Veterans Assistance Act is an Illinois state law originally conceived in the late 19th century to provide aid to honorably discharged indigent veterans of the Civil War and their families. Over time, its scope expanded to include veterans of all U.S. military conflicts as well as their widows, minor children, and dependent parents who are in financial need.
  • What is now referred to as the “Veterans Assistance Commission” originated as the Bogardus Act of 1874 or the Indigent War Veterans Act, which was approved in 1907. 
  • In the 1890s, the state legislature realized that there were many injured civil war veterans that were unemployed and were not being cared for. As a result, they created the Veterans Assistance Commission which requires counties to provide relief to indigent Civil War veterans and their families. The VAC has been around throughout the state since at least the mid 1890s. Lake County VAC has been around since 1926, making it older than the VA. 
  • Since 1926, the VAC has continued to act as the premier Veterans Service Organization in Illinois. 
  • Beginning in the 1930s, the statute was expanded to serve Veterans from all eras and conflicts. 
  • During the 1980s and 1990s, the statute was reorganized and codified under 330 ILCS 45/ during Illinois’ recodification of state statutes.
  • Beginning in the 2000s, the statute was updated by clarifying governance of VACs, budgeting authority, and reporting requirements to county boards. ​
  • Since 2020, modern amendments have been made to emphasize transparency, oversight, and accountability for VAC operations and funds.
*  CLICK HERE TO READ ILLINOIS STATUTE 330 ILCS 45/9 VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION  *
DOCUMENTS

*  Veterans Assistance Commission Bylaws With Revisions From 11/19 Meeting  *

​*  Veterans Assistance Commission Bylaws Final Draft  *

​*  Veterans Assistance Commission Flyer  *

*  Petition for Recognition and Appropriation (Sample)  *

*  Illinois Public Act 102-0732  *

​*  Military Veterans Assistance Act  *
​
​*  Veterans Assistance Commission VFW Report  *

*  Letters of Intent to Form VAC  *

*  AMVETS Waltonville Letter of Intent  *

 * VFW Waltonville Letter of Intent *

* American Legion Bluford Letter of Intent *

* Franklin County Bylaws (Sample) *

* Proposed Bylaws for VAC of Jefferson County *

* VAC Washington County Bylaws *

* VAC Green Book / Sample Bylaws *

* VAC Washington County Budget *

* VAC Washington County Annual Certification *

* Washington County Policies *

* Washington County Superintendent *

* Grundy County Legal Presentation *

* Grundy County Bylaws *

* Veteran's Services in Illinois *
 
* VAC Madison County Mission *

* VAC Madison County Emergency Assistance Application *

* VAC St Clair County Guidelines *

​According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 2,335 veterans living in Jefferson County, Illinois (2019-2023 estimate). 
​
Currently 52 Counties Have Veterans Assistance Commissions: 
JEFFERSON COUNTY
VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
BOARD MEMBERS
American Legion Post 141
M. Heyden
Delegate
American Legion Post 141
E. Kennedy
Alternate
AMVETS Post 4
R. Minks
Delegate
AMVETS Post 4
T. Gartside
Alternate
DAV Chapter 28
K. Gatewood
Delegate
DAV Chapter 28
D. Nesbit
Alternate
VFW Post 1376 / 9233
R. White
Delegate
VFW Post 1376 / 9233
Z. Brooks
Alternate
Next DAV Meeting: Tuesday January 13 at 5:00 PM Rolland Lewis Community Bldg.
DAV Meeting Attendance