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Peoria Veterans Assistance Commission offers help to Tazewell County as local VAC leadership changes
Summary
Peoria VAC superintendent Michael Brooks briefed the board on emergency assistance, benefits claims, staffing and heavy caseloads; he offered to help train Tazewell County staff and assist with selecting a new superintendent after a recent retirement.
Michael Brooks of the Peoria Veterans Assistance Commission told the Tazewell County Board that his office provides emergency financial assistance (rent, mortgage, utilities), helps veterans file and appeal VA disability claims, assists with burial benefits and survivor claims, and offers other services such as obtaining discharge papers and property tax exemption assistance.
“Every VAC in Illinois is different,” Brooks said, describing his office’s approach to emergency assistance (generally a one‑time payment per 12 months with exceptions) and its role helping veterans pursue claims through appeals and, if necessary, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Brooks said Peoria VAC helps veterans secure significant back‑pay and tax‑free benefit awards and cited figures for the office’s activity and budget: he reported Peoria’s 2026 VAC budget is approximately $1,100,000; said Peoria secured large sums for veterans across multiple counties (the transcript lists figures such as $23,500,000 in new money and $145,500,000 total returned to veterans, and $36,500,000 identified for Tazewell County veterans in 2025); and said Peoria’s office is one of the busiest in Illinois.
Brooks described staffing levels (a superintendent, assistant superintendent, VSOs, support staff and VA work‑study positions), monthly walk‑in counts averaging about 473 and, in peak months, exceeding 600, and said his office can provide training and candidate review assistance. He told the board he is willing to help Tazewell County select a new superintendent and to offer training support: “I will come over here and help them follow the law, do everything … I’m willing to help.”
Shannon Saltier, introduced by the chair as the VAC chair and a retired Air Force member, said she will serve as interim superintendent for 60 days and will work with Brooks and board delegates to fill the vacancy. A resident and veteran, Michael Ragan, urged the board to raise local VAC funding and staffing and described ongoing veteran suicide awareness efforts in the community.
Board members thanked Brooks for the offer and asked clarifying questions about funding sources; Brooks said the VAC budget comes from local tax levies for the VAC and that federal benefits secured for veterans do not pass through his office to veterans but are benefits the VA awards directly.
The board discussed next steps for selection of a permanent superintendent, potential training needs, and closer coordination between Tazewell County delegates and Peoria VAC staff.
