In the realm of public finance and political debate, red herrings and partisan distractions often obscure the critical issues such as the proper allocation of funds for our veterans that deserve our focused attention.
The assertion, “We don’t have the Money, FOR VETERANS,” mischaracterizes the true challenge. During my tenure as Director of Veterans Services for multiple municipalities in Massachusetts including serving as Director for the City of Holyoke (the birthplace of volleyball) I oversaw Veterans Financial Assistance and VA Benefits representation for eligible applicants. I ensured my team of three were Accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and registered with the Veterans Administration’s Office of General Counsel a standard not required by their positions. My extensive background as an instructor for the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), a 21-year Army veteran, and a board member on multiple veterans, local, municipal, and state organizations has equipped me with a deep understanding of how to build effective service offices and meet the needs of our veterans.
At the 2023 NACVSO conference, I engaged with peers from Illinois in discussions that underscored a troubling trend: despite incentives such as the real-estate tax abatement program for disabled veterans, many veterans are leaving the state a phenomenon that reflects broader demographic shifts. For instance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts, Winnebago County, Illinois, has an estimated population of 280,922 and a median age of approximately 40.1 years (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/winnebagocountyillinois). While the overall population remains relatively stable, modest declines and shifts in the county’s demographic profile underscore the pressing need for proper resource allocation. This perspective highlights that the challenge lies not in the overall availability of funds, but in their misallocation, along with county governments usurping VAC authority, which ultimately prevents our veterans from receiving the full benefits they deserve.
After the conference, a colleague sent me the application for the Superintendent role for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County (VACWC). The message was clear: the commission urgently needed support a view also echoed by several local politicians during my subsequent interviews in Rockford. During these discussions, I presented recommendations backed by endorsements from Massachusetts State Senators, State Representatives, Veterans Administration officials, and VA Homeless Program personnel.
Prior to finalization of the County budget in September, I, along with other stakeholders from the veteran community, attended a finance committee meeting specifically to discuss the VACWC budget. During this meeting, key changes in recent public law affecting Veterans Assistance Commissions were highlighted. At one point, Vietnam Veteran Joe Hoffman challenged the prevailing notion that the county lacked available funds. In response, County CFO Steve Schultz stated unequivocally, “we did not have the funds.” I respectfully disagree with that assessment. While the finance committee meeting provided valuable insights into the public law changes, which largely went ignored, a detailed review of the actual budget reveals additional discrepancies that challenge the claim of insufficient funds
My review of the county’s budget revealed that while the general fund is $73,566,664, the VAC’s allocated budget was reduced by $520,803.01—merely 0.71% of the general fund. Moreover, an analysis comparing the two-year average on 227 specific line items in the Supply and Services category uncovered an additional $5.8 million in potential appropriations that could be directed toward veteran services.
It is crucial to move beyond abstract percentage increases and focus on actual dollar amounts. When historical underfunding is corrected through increased staffing, enhanced employee benefits, and extended work hours the inevitable rise in operating costs reflects the necessary investment in our veterans. The appropriate operating budget should be determined by the Commission as prescribed by law, not dictated by county-level financial metrics.
I urge all stakeholders including our fiscally conservative colleagues to critically examine the financial data. By reviewing detailed documentation such as the county’s 2025 budget report available here, we can identify approximately $500,000 in surplus funding among various departmental line items without compromising essential services. The evidence suggests that the county had the funds available but chose not to allocate them to the Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County (VACWC).
In summary, while I appreciate the emphasis on fiscal responsibility expressed by our Republican colleagues, we must focus on tangible outcomes. Under my leadership, enhanced veteran services have generated an annual economic return exceeding $1.6 million for Winnebago County. I am confident that a thorough, data-driven review will demonstrate the importance of retaining these funds locally, ensuring that our veterans receive the support they deserve and remain a vital part of our community. However, inaction will have serious consequences. Without immediate corrective measures, we risk the cessation of critical programs including veteran homelessness support, rental assistance, and utility assistance on top of already having laid off one worker and halted the medical transportation program. As we approach the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, it is imperative that we address these funding misallocations to prevent further erosion of essential veteran services.
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Jesus M Pereira
