LaSalle County veterans office reports surge in benefit payouts, urges appointments for property tax exemptions

Krista, a LaSalle County veterans office staff member, told the committee that the office is booking appointments two to three weeks out as staff help veterans with property tax-exemption paperwork and other benefits.

She said the office is prioritizing veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30% or higher so they can obtain the exemption. Krista said the office handled more than $1,800,000 in new benefit payments for December and January combined and that “last year we had 10.5” (amount not specified).

The office is urging veterans to schedule appointments because of high demand; Krista said staff will make accommodations for emergencies and sometimes work extra hours to assist clients. She described steps the office is taking to improve communications, including collecting email addresses to distribute legislative and administrative updates and using a program to distribute flyers and notices to clients and families.

Krista said Lisa, identified as her assistant superintendent, will travel to Springfield on the 18th and return on the 19th to meet with the state association for veterans assistance commissions and to discuss legislation that could affect local VACs. Krista said the office is watching several bills; she described one Senate bill under consideration that would require VAC members to be elected on a ballot and a House bill (House Bill 2,689) that would require the tax bill to include the dollar amount that funds the VAC in the county. Krista said she did not have the bill numbers or full details for all items and deferred specific legislative positions to the state association's legislative committee.

Krista also described ongoing local programs: a peer-led PTSD group that draws about 25–30 participants and a Flutes for Vets program that teaches veterans to play the native American flute and provides instruments to participants. The office also provides a computer lab for resume writing and telehealth and coordinates with a Veterans Health Administration representative who answers eligibility and billing questions.

Committee member Kathy Owens moved to place Krista's report on file; the motion was seconded and approved with an oral “Aye.”

Why it matters: property tax exemptions and benefit payments directly affect veterans' household budgets and the county's delivery of veterans services. The office's outreach and legislative monitoring could shape access to benefits for local veterans.