Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs helps hometown heroes         

[MAY 19, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has created a new 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization known as the Illinois Veterans Foundation that will partner with corporations, other foundations and private citizens to assist the state in reaching out to and helping the nearly 1 million veterans who live in Illinois. The foundation will augment the existing initiatives that Gov. Rod Blagojevich launched to help Illinois veterans, including a 50 percent increase in the department's service officers, pilot programs to support homeless and incarcerated veterans, and a veterans' benefits fair on July 9 at Navy Pier in Chicago.

"It's just not right that our vets are being shortchanged when it comes to their federal benefits, Gov. Blagojevich said. "We all owe them so much and we must never forget that debt, but my administration has made a pledge to recognize their sacrifice by increasing staffing at our IDVA offices, so we can reach out and help them collect the benefits they have earned. We can add to our efforts already under way by partnering with corporations and individuals to provide an opportunity for these groups to join the fight for our veterans. It's the least we can do for our veterans after they fought to preserve our nation and our liberties."

"Abraham Lincoln reminded us of our duty as citizens to ‘care for them who have borne the battle,'" said Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. "These veterans were there for us, so let's tell them, ‘We've got your back.' When I visited our troops in Iraq last year, I assured these hometown heroes that Illinois' leaders will do all we can to help their transition back, and the new Illinois Veterans Foundation is a creative way to lend a hand."

"During his February budget address, Gov. Blagojevich promised his continued support for our state's veterans," said Roy L. Dolgos, director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. "This foundation is a fairly new concept, and it's another example of how Illinois is serving as a model for the rest of the country in finding new and impactful ways to help American vets. People call my office all the time and say, ‘We need to do more for our veterans. How can I help?' This is a great way to help those individuals to lend their support to those who proudly served their country."

The foundation is already working on ways to develop programs to assist the state's veterans, partnering with the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Corporation for Supportive Housing and the many sponsors of the upcoming Supermarket of Benefits event the department is hosting on July 9 at Navy Pier.

One of the priorities of the foundation is the development of state programs addressing awareness and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The programs would be especially for Vietnam veterans and soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who must transition from military to civilian life.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric condition that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents or violent personal assaults like rape. People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged. These symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair a person's daily life.

The overall program to address post-traumatic stress would offer several options for treatment, including an awareness campaign, counseling and support groups.

Money raised by the Illinois Veterans Foundation will be directed toward programs supported or operated by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

[Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs news release]