Durbin asks VA to probe possible GI Bill problems

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois is calling for the Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate colleges and universities to determine if they are taking advantage of GI Bill benefits.

In a news release, Durbin says if any abuses are verified the colleges should be removed from the program.

Durbin's call for an investigation follows an announcement by the VA it has withdrawn education benefits from some of Westwood College's campuses in Texas after discovering what Durbin called questionable recruiting practices.

Durbin wants VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to examine fourteen other Westwood College campuses, including four in Illinois.

In a news release issued by the school's public relations firm, a Westwood official says the college has taken steps to resolve problems raised by the Texas Veterans Commission.