HR0954 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0954 LRB104 22153 RMO 38371 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VACLC) on 100 years of dedicated service to local veterans and their families, having been founded on its traditionally acknowledged opening date of May 27, 1926; and

WHEREAS, The VACLC was established to serve as the central service office for all veterans and their families residing within Lake County; and

WHEREAS, The foundational mission of the VACLC is "to promote the welfare of honorably discharged Veterans of military service through maximizing all possible benefits through effective and dynamic advocacy and by serving as a central service office for all Veterans residing in the county of Lake"; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its century of operation, the VACLC has faithfully served veterans from all eras and conflicts, including heroes of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and more; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of its professional staff, including the superintendent, assistant superintendent, executive assistant, senior veteran service officers, veteran service officers in charge, veteran service officers, and administrative assistants, the VACLC has dynamic oversight, with the superintendent managing the organization and an executive board of nine local veteran leaders performing oversight for short-term and long-term operations; and

WHEREAS, The VACLC's general membership is uniquely composed of dedicated veteran delegates and alternates from diverse local veteran service organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion (AML), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS), and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), who meet quarterly to coordinate legislative advocacy, representation, budgeting, and staffing; and

WHEREAS, The VACLC offers comprehensive, expert, and entirely pro bono advocacy and assistance to ensure that veterans and their families are never charged a fee for vital services, including disability compensation claims, pensions, burial benefits, and survivor's benefits; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Andrew Tangen, a licensed attorney, provides representation for wrongfully adjudicated claims in higher appellate courts, such as the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; and

WHEREAS, The VACLC actively partners with Lake County government and local townships to provide life-changing emergency financial assistance for utilities, mortgage payments, and emergency shelter while also overseeing a not-for-profit fund fueled by generous donations to secure adaptive vehicles, execute specific home repairs, and foster community partnerships; and

WHEREAS, Following critical modernization and strategic turning points initiated in 2017 and 2019, a new generation of veteran service officers joined the team, successfully implementing sweeping updates to traditional claims processes and positioning the VACLC as a modern, forward-looking beacon of advocacy; and

WHEREAS, To ensure that the solemnity and remembrance of Memorial Day remain entirely undiminished, the VACLC will host its formal 100th-anniversary celebration on June 27, 2026; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VACLC) on the momentous occasion of its 100th anniversary, commend its staff, board, and delegates for a century of unwavering advocacy, and extend our deepest gratitude for its tireless service to the veteran community of Lake County; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the superintendent and executive board of the VACLC as symbol of our esteem and respect.