Lilly Proposal Seeks to Expand Fulltime Veterans Service Offices

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  – State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, is working to improve the delivery of services to veterans in Illinois by requiring the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to establish convenient, fulltime field office in every part of the state.

“Veterans deserve to have direct, local access to the services they have earned,” Lilly said. “Requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to have an office in each legislative district will bring state services closer to veterans who need them.”

Lilly is the sponsor of House Bill 2548, which requires the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a field office in each of the state’s 59 State Senate districts. Currently, the department operates 49 fulltime offices and 35 part-time offices. Under Lilly’s legislation, the department could consolidate part-time offices and establish more fulltime offices while also aligning fulltime offices for the best localization and delivery of services. The purpose of this legislation is to reduce the burden on veterans who are seeking assistance navigating the array of benefits and services available to them.

“It is incumbent on all citizens to make sure our veterans are supported at home and have access to needed services that assist them in finding education, employment, and housing,” said Lilly. “This plan would not only help bring services closer to home for veterans, but would also make government operate more efficiently and effectively.”