Services like health care transportation and assistance for homeless vets could be cut in the coming year if the Winnebago County Board declines to fund the Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County’s largest ever funding request.
Commissioners approved a $1.6 million budget for 2025 so it can provide its nine employees with health benefits in accordance with a new state law and give them raises in an effort to retain accredited veteran service officers, said VAC Superintendent Jesus Pereira, a retired U.S. Army veteran.
Winnebago County Board members have signaled a willingness to provide a significant increase in property tax funding for a second consecutive year, but not as much as the commission approved in its budget, Pereira said.
A county committee proposed $1.3 million, 15% more than last year’s $1 million in funding.
And while it’s an increase, it’s not enough, Pereira said, and it would force VAC to cut into its programming and services to stay afloat.
More: ‘Save your receipts’: Illinois disaster proclamation could open door to federal assistance