Veterans office reports growing veterans‑court caseload, service partnerships and early remodel plans

Eric Peterson, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission, told the Executive Committee Sept. 17 his office now has five participants in veterans treatment court and two more under consideration. "At the time of this report, there were 4 veterans treatment court participants and 2 under consideration," Peterson said; later in his report he updated those figures to five participants after a new acceptance. He told the committee the office has been active in outreach, presenting benefit information at a senior living facility and connecting veterans and spouses to benefits they did not realize they could receive. Peterson said the commission is exploring a modest remodel of the office front area to improve efficiency before pursuing an expansion. He described the work as being in "very beginning stages" and said he will work with county staff and possible grants to determine fiscal responsibility. "As of right now, we do not have a budget, but when I do, I will make sure that I update everybody and let you know," he said. Peterson described other service developments: monthly demonstrations of an H‑Wave TENS unit in the office, a monthly presence by a representative from Congresswoman Robin Kelly's office to help veterans with federal benefits and paperwork, and ongoing Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs service‑officer visits. He also reported an agreement with a nonprofit, Farm to Veteran, to donate a freezer stocked with meat, eggs and produce to the Liberty Lodge and to the VAC office food pantry. The commission's resource fair is planned for Feb. 26 at the community‑based outpatient clinic and VAC office. Peterson said a fundraiser for Liberty Lodge beautification is scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Bradley American Legion. The committee accepted the VAC monthly report and no formal vote on remodeling occurred; Peterson said he would return with budget details before proceeding.