File #: 23-5750    Version: 1 Name: URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO PASS H.R.984/S.106, THE COMMITMENT TO VETERAN SUPPORT AND OUTREACH ACT
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 11/7/2023 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 11/16/2023 Final action: 11/16/2023
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO PASS H.R.984/S.106, THE COMMITMENT TO VETERAN SUPPORT AND OUTREACH ACT WHEREAS, veterans are fixtures in our communities and the sacrifices that our veterans in uniform make and their families who support them and sacrifice so much for our great country cannot be overstated; and WHEREAS, many veterans and their families experience hardships during life after service. Some experience physical and mental health challenges, while others face challenges going back to civilian life altogether including difficulty obtaining employment and housing; and WHEREAS, the number of veteran suicides nationwide continues to rise, and approximately 14 of the 20 veterans who die by suicide each day are not under Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care; and WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed an important amendment to the 2024 County Budget, that as Chair of the Veterans Committee, I was proud to sponsor and that the full board supp...
Sponsors: DONNA MILLER, FRANK J. AGUILAR, ALMA E. ANAYA, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, Monica Gordon, BILL LOWRY, STANLEY MOORE, JOSINA MORITA, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, ANTHONY J. QUEZADA, TARA S. STAMPS, MAGGIE TREVOR
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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO PASS H.R.984/S.106, THE COMMITMENT TO VETERAN SUPPORT AND OUTREACH ACT

WHEREAS, veterans are fixtures in our communities and the sacrifices that our veterans in uniform make and their families who support them and sacrifice so much for our great country cannot be overstated; and

WHEREAS, many veterans and their families experience hardships during life after service. Some experience physical and mental health challenges, while others face challenges going back to civilian life altogether including difficulty obtaining employment and housing; and

WHEREAS, the number of veteran suicides nationwide continues to rise, and approximately 14 of the 20 veterans who die by suicide each day are not under Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care; and

WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed an important amendment to the 2024 County Budget, that as Chair of the Veterans Committee, I was proud to sponsor and that the full board supported as co-sponsors to provide $2 million in funding to the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) to provide increased direct benefits to qualified Cook County Veterans and their families; and

WHEREAS, Cook County is home to the 3rd largest population of veterans in the country and said amendment will assist qualified veterans in need, but the demand is great; and

WHEREAS, one of the goals of the VACCC is to increase the number of County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO's) to assist our veterans in need; and

WHEREAS, CVSOs are local county employees who are nationally accredited by the VA to prepare, present, and prosecute U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims, and often are veteran's first point of contact in the community for accessing services; and

WHEREAS, CVSOs assist veterans in accessing a range of benefits, including service-connected benefits, enrollment in VA health care, VA home loans, education benefits and available job placement assist...

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