Lilly Measure Seeks to Improve the Delivery of Services to Veterans in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  – State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, is working to streamline veterans’ services by creating one-stop job, housing and service centers for returning service members.

“Our veterans are willing to give everything for our country and our communities, so it is critical we make sure they have economic opportunities when they are home,” Lilly said. “Creating Veterans’ Economic Centers will assist veterans in finding employment and housing while connecting them to other important services.”

Lilly is sponsoring House Bill 3433, which creates a pilot program for Veterans’ Economic Centers designed to address the issues of veteran unemployment, homelessness, health care and education. Under the measure, the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) would 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. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that 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. The proposed Veterans’ Economic Centers seek to streamline the delivery of services to veterans as a way to more effectively address the issues they face.

“It’s important that veterans facing homelessness or unemployment have access to adequate housing and that they are gainfully employed,” Lilly said. “If veterans aren’t getting access to needed opportunities and services, then it is our duty as legislators to make sure the problems they face are corrected in an efficient and effective manner.”