Bill would hinder work of vets commissions

As the past superintendent, Veterans Affairs Commission of Lake County Illinois, I’m very familiar with how the VACs operate. Currently, under leadership of our current superintendent, Andrew Tangen, the VAC Lake County, and as the past president Illinois Association of VACs, I know these operations are operating quite well in providing the necessary services for veterans and their families.

Tangen’s efforts have insured that the VACs are now properly funded and that the staffs are being well trained in assisting veterans and their families.

House Bill 5085 would place additional layers of bureaucracy upon the VACs, which we have fought for many years to do away with to allow the VACs to be operated by veterans for veterans. This bill does not make the VACs better.

The Illinois Association of County VACs has introduced a process of self-accreditation that will improve the VACs to ensure that communications with the veteran community is open, staff receive annual training and the members of the board receive annual training in the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Please urge your state senators and state representatives to oppose House Bill 5085.

Michael Peck

Mundelein