Mike Brooks, representing the Veterans Assistance Commission, reported to the Ways and Means Committee on Aug. 25 that his office had a high volume of service activity and several recent staff recognitions. Brooks said the office recorded “615 walk ins in the month of July.”

Brooks also reported fundraising or benefit amounts in the meeting. He stated, as read from his report, “we brought in to date 91,800,000.0 total money for veterans, 15.3 new money, which is lump sum payments to veterans,” and added that those figures broke last year’s record. The transcript presents those numeric figures as stated by Brooks; the meeting did not clarify currency units or formatting for those numbers.

Brooks announced two staff awards: William Stodgill received a VSO of the Year award from the state association, and Tricia Collins was selected for the Patty Fletcher Citizen and Patriot Award; Brooks said Collins’s selection was unanimous. Brooks invited veterans and active-duty service members to email veterans@peoriacounty.org to be considered for recognition at local sporting events.

Why it matters: High client volume, awards and outreach activity reflect service demand and community recognition of county veterans-service staff.

What’s next: Brooks said he would email the committee with more details about Collins’s award date and time when available.