Nearing Veterans Day, Lilly Highlights Measure to Improve the Delivery of Services to Illinois Veterans

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Veterans Day approaches, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is working to streamline the delivery of veterans’ services in Illinois by creating one-stop job, housing and service centers.

“Our veterans are willing to sacrifice everything for our country and our communities, so it is imperative that we ensure they have economic opportunities when they come home,” Lilly said. “Creating Veterans’ Economic Centers will assist veterans in finding housing and employment while making sure they are connected to other critical services.”

Lilly is sponsoring House Bill 3433, which creates a pilot program for Veterans’ Economic Centers designed to address issues of education, health care, homelessness and unemployment among veterans. Under the measure, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) would be empowered to partner directly with local employers and housing providers in order to better connect veterans to jobs and housing, as well as educational and health care opportunities. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, younger veterans have lower labor force participation and higher unemployment rates than their civilian peers and that the negative effects of unemployment can exacerbate housing insecurity and health problems. Lilly’s proposed Veterans’ Economic Centers seek to streamline the delivery of services to veterans as a way to more effectively address the issues they face.

“Veterans facing unemployment or homeless must have access to gainful employment and adequate housing,” Lilly said. “It is one of my highest priorities as a legislator to ensure that veterans are getting access to needed opportunities for services.”