Dear Chairman Chiarell and Members of the Winnebago County Board,
On behalf of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County (VACWC), I am writing to formally request supplemental funding from the County’s General Fund in the amount of $520,803.01 to address the budget shortfall that has already resulted in the suspension of essential services for our local veterans and their families. On March 12, 2025, the VACWC unanimously approved the supplemental budget request, which is provided along with this letter for your review and consideration.
The General Assembly has made it clear that funding for a Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) may be derived from three sources, if applicable:
1. A tax levied under Section 5-2006 of the Counties Code and Section 12-21.13 of the Illinois Public Aid Code;
2. Funds from the county general corporate fund; and
3. State funds from the Department of Human Services.
The VACWC budget for Fiscal Year 2025, approved by our Commission on May 29, 2024, and submitted for County action on May 30, 2024, initially outlined $1,639,803.01 in necessary funding to provide critical veteran services, including housing assistance, utility support, medical transportation, and operational needs. However, on September 26, 2024, the County Board’s final budget appropriation allocated only $1,119,000, leaving a shortfall of $520,803.01.
Due to this shortfall, we have already been forced to lay off one staff member and halt local medical transportation services, general and emergency assistance, as well as programs focused on the prevention of veteran homelessness and rapid rehousing efforts. Without supplemental funding, the continued disruption of these vital services will have an even greater impact on the well-being and stability of veterans in our community.
For greater transparency, the breakdown of the VACWC budget can be viewed as two major funding categories, identical to the County categories:
• Personnel: $764,303.01
o Regular Salaries: $523,644.00
o Employee Benefits and Taxes: $240,659.01
• Supplies and Services: $875,500.00
o Veterans Assistance Payments: $500,000.00
o Operational Costs: $375,500.00
Unfortunately, the VACWC only received $729,303.01 for VAC Prof SVC Salaries, a line the Commission did not request funding for, and $389,696.99 for Veterans Assistance Payments. All other lines went unfunded, including supplies, postage, and other operational necessities required for day-to-day functions.
When the VACWC reached out to the County for assistance in purchasing paper and supplies, they politely declined.
Through an extensive review of potential funding sources, we have identified over 200 possible funding opportunities, ensuring that our request is both strategic and fiscally responsible. Moreover, our analysis of the General Fund’s Supplies & Services category, which received an excess appropriation of nearly $6,000,000 above the two-year average, indicates that reallocating just 20% of this excess while still preserving 80% of the original surplus could fully fund the VACWC’s needs without imposing any additional burden on taxpayers or requiring extraordinary cuts to other County departments.
In accordance with the directive imposed by the Military Veterans Assistance Act and the VACWC’s legal obligation to provide necessary aid, assistance, and services to our veterans, we respectfully request that the County Board allocate $520,803.01 from the General Fund in supplemental funding. This investment will ensure the continued delivery of critical support services to those who have bravely served our country.
We appreciate your time, consideration, and ongoing commitment to the well-being of Winnebago County’s veterans. We look forward to discussing this request further at our location at 555 N Court St, Rockford, and welcome the opportunity to provide any additional documentation or analysis necessary to support our case.
Additionally, we kindly request confirmation of receipt of this request and ask to be kept apprised of any actions taken regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Jesus Pereira
Superintendent Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County
jpereira@vac.wincoil.gov
A copy of the Full Request can be found Here.
