Scherer Creates Additional Property Tax Exemptions for WW II Veterans, Recognizes Pearl Harbor Day

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To honor the sacrifices made by the countless men and women from Illinois who served in World War II, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, recently helped to pass legislation that creates new exemptions for these special veterans and their spouses.

“I grew up around so many in my family and community who joined the military, and that made an impact on me that continues to resound today,” said Scherer. “My father was one of millions of Americans, who, in our darkest hour, dared to ask what could they do for their country instead of what it could do for them.”

Scherer voted for Senate Bill 2315, which created additional property tax exemptions for WWII veterans and their spouses. Illinois has just over 4,300 World War II veterans alive today. The bill will help some of our most deserving seniors from being overburdened by property tax payments. The bill passed through the House and now awaits a vote in the Senate. The legislation is just the latest example of Scherer’s efforts to support our veterans. The Military Veterans Assistance Act, which lays out rules for establishing Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) was signed into law earlier this year, and was also supported by Scherer. 

On this day 82 years ago, 2,403 Americans were killed as a result of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Scherer’s own father served in the Pacific theater as a Seabee – a maritime combat engineer. In addition to her father’s service in the Pacific, her maternal uncle was wounded by enemy action and received a Purple Heart. Her paternal grandmother sent four of her sons to serve in the war. The youngest son was only 17 years old at the time and had to secure his parent’s permission to join the fight. Scherer’s military family history goes back even further with her grandfather, who served in the First World War.

“Today, we solemnly remember the lives that were lost on that day which will forever live in infamy,” said Scherer. “I will always be grateful for the courage, sacrifice and strength that our men and women in uniform possess. I will never stop fighting for them.”