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Resources for Illinois Veterans
I recently received information from Tammy Duckworth,
the Director of the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs. Please pass it on to a Veteran that
may be in need of some resources.
As always, feel free to call my office or the Illinois Department of
Veteran Affairs for more information.
Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
This assistance program offers a 24-hour,
toll-free helpline at 1-800-554-IWAP, which is staffed by health
professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with symptoms associated with
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI) screening to all interested Illinois Vets.
G-I Loans for Heroes
This program, launched in May of 2007 made Illinois the
first state in the nation to offer a comprehensive homeownership package to
Veterans and active duty service men and women. The program offers a low-interest rate
first mortgage for 80 percent of the purchase of a new home and an interest
free second mortgage up to $40,000.
For more information on the G-I loan for Heroes program, visit www.ihda.org or call 1-800-942-8439.
Employment
When returning home, veterans should also contact the
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) for assistance in obtaining
employment. IDES has a staff of
trained Veterans Representative and disabled Veteran Outreach Representatives
dedicated to helping Veterans find employment. Veterans should call 1-888-FOR-IETC to
find their nearest Representative.
Budget Hearing for FY 2009
As the General Assembly begins its spring legislative
session, Illinois is confronting serious budget challenges. Lawmakers and the governor will need to
close a significant budget shortfall that fiscal experts project to be at
least $750 million.
I would like to invite you to join me as a participant
in a Regional Budget Hearing in Northbrook on March 24th and to share your
views about what the state’s funding priorities should be. I will be
co-hosting this hearing with State Representatives Julie Hamos
of Evanston, Karen May of Highland Park, Kathy Ryg
of Vernon Hills, and Eddie Washington of Waukegan. The purpose of this hearing is to
provide greater transparency to the state budget process, give local
residents a voice and provide an understanding of how state budget decisions
may impact our region. We intend
to hear from social service providers, local governments, health care
facilities, school districts, colleges, labor unions, business groups, and
civic organizations as we prepare to craft this year’s state budget.
The Regional Budget Hearing will be held Monday, March
24 at 3:00 p.m. at Northbrook Village Hall in the City Hall Chambers, located
at 1225 Cedar Lane in Northbrook.
Parking for the event will be available. If you would like more information,
would like to provide testimony, or to confirm your attendance, please call
my constituent service office at (847) 257-0450
My Fight to Ban Toxic Chemicals
Just this past Monday, I co-hosted, along with Reps.
Al Riley & Sandy Pihos, an exciting and
informative presentation by Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group about
human’s exposure to toxic chemicals. In his presentation, Mr. Cook wowed
the audience with his organization’s study that found over 287 toxic
chemicals in newborn babies in 2005.
I hope to continue raising awareness about this subject not only to
other legislators, but to my constituents as well. I have introduced legislation this
session that seeks to regulate the sale and distribution of children's products or product
components containing lead or other specified chemicals (HB 5705). I hope you will join be in speaking
out and supporting this issue.
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