Halpin to Serve as Vice Chair of Veterans Affairs Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As House committees begin to review legislation, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is stepping into a leadership position on the Veterans Affairs Committee.

 “Illinois is home to nearly three-quarters of a million veterans, many of whom face challenges accessing employment, housing and health care services once their service has ended,” said Halpin. “For those who are able to receive care, the quality of care is not always consistent and must be improved, while taking into account the unique needs of female and minority veterans as well.”

A member of the Board of Directors for Bridging the Gap: Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, Halpin previously sponsored legislation to improve homeless veterans’ access to disability benefits and address the high rate of suicide among veterans. Last year, Halpin helped pass a measure to authorize and fund water quality and infrastructure improvements at the Quincy Veterans’ Home, where 13 veterans died under state care. Halpin’s role as Vice Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee positions him to continue advocating for veterans’ needs at the state level.

In addition to his Vice Chairmanship, Halpin is also a member of the Appropriations-Capital, Agriculture and Conservation and Judiciary-Criminal Committees.

“Infrastructure is one of the most important contributors to economic growth, and my seat on the Appropriations-Capital Committee gives me a say in which infrastructure investments move forward and how they are funded,” said Halpin. “I look forward to the discussions we’ll have about Illinois’ new infrastructure plan and the benefits it can bring to the Quad Cities.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at 309-558-3612 or at rephalpin@gmail.com.