Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Veterans Assistance Commission reports $9.5M in new VA benefits; committee later considers procurement-card resolution
Summary
The Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission told the Public Service Committee it helped bring in more than $9.5 million in new VA benefits in 2024; the committee later had a resolution on procurement cards for the commission on the agenda.
Jake Zimmerman of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission reported to the Public Service Committee on Jan. 23 that the commission helped bring more than $9.5 million in new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits to county veterans during fiscal 2024.
“That first figure on the chart you see at the top of the page, shows that our office was instrumental in bringing in over 9 and a half $1,000,000 in new VA benefits,” Zimmerman told the committee. He said that equated to roughly a $17.97 return for every dollar the commission received in county support last year.
Zimmerman described the commission’s regular outreach and services, including office hours at the Hoffman Estates and Aurora VA clinics, monthly visits to area American Legion posts and other community outreach. He said the VA spends about $166 million annually in Kane County and that medical and disability payments make up major portions of that total.
Later in the meeting the committee considered a housekeeping resolution authorizing the number of procurement cards issued to the Veterans Assistance Commission and transaction limits for those cards. The resolution was moved and seconded during the meeting and was placed on the agenda as a routine item to be monitored by the auditor’s office.
Why it matters: The commission’s work directly affects veterans’ incomes and access to VA services. The procurement-card resolution is a routine administrative step that clarifies how the commission may make purchases and is subject to audit.
Details: Zimmerman said the commission files more applications and appeals year over year, speeding decisions for veterans who apply through the commission’s office. He also described ongoing outreach to newly separated veterans via address lists provided by the VA and to veterans in community settings.
What’s next: The committee moved the procurement-card resolution for a roll-call vote later in the meeting.
