The State of Illinois Legislature passes many laws and Acts that every county or municipality must abide to. The State also has a habit of telling the counties, they have to find the money to pay for it.
During a recent meeting of the Lee County Finance Committee, Veterans Assistance Commissions Jim Gorman spoke about a substantial jump in money needed for the commission. This would be for the position of Veterans Service Officer.
The commission handles many things for Lee County Veterans, including transportation, food assistance as well as utility assistance. Gorman said they transport veterans to places almost every day.
A Veterans Service Officer would be a County Employee who would handle benefits and who knows the laws and what a veteran can and cannot do. This position has been in discussion for about five years. The salary for a VSO is about $42,000 plus benefits. It was determined the county might have the funds to pay for the position.
