Veterans Assistance Commissioners Admit Disqualifications; Won’t Resign –

Will County, IL. (ECWd) –

Stunning revelations coming out of the video from the May 17, 2022, special meeting of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County’s (“VACWC”) alleged Executive Committee indicate they know they are wrong.

On July 19, 2022, we published an article explaining the qualifications to serve as a Commissioner of a Veterans Assistance Commission.

On July 25, 2022, we published an article explaining why 8 of the 10 executive committee members were disqualified from serving in any capacity on the Commission, and also spoke on the topic during public comment at a later meeting.

Little did we know at the time, but this committee already held discussions during a May 17, 2022, meeting in which they admitted to their disqualifications from serving on the Commission – and then decided to do nothing about it.

Some of the discussions during the May 17th meeting of the committee (video below):

• The Chairman can be heard telling the committee that he is not a delegate, has not been a delegate for several years, and cannot even remember which Veteran Service Organization (“VSO”) he was a delegate for when he was actually a delegate.
• Tom knows he is no longer a delegate, he was replaced prior to March 1, 2022, by another delegate and alternate from the American Legion post he was formerly a delegate of.
• The committee knows the 40 & 8 is not a qualified Veteran Service Organization, as described in the Illinois Military Veterans Assistance Act (“MVAA”), for providing delegates and alternates to the Commission
• The American Gold Star Mothers – Department of Illinois organization, although it is Chartered and therefore qualified under the MVAA to select a delegate and alternate, it was stated they have “more than 15 paid members” – (but that requirement does not become effective until January 1, 2023. Currently there is a different qualification which has not been addressed).

First and foremost, to serve as a delegate or alternate of a Veterans Assistance Commission, one must be selected as a delegate or alternate by a qualified Veterans Service Organization, as described in the MVAA.

Second, if a VSO serves more than one county, such as the American Gold Star Mothers – Department of Illinois, it must have at least 25% of its membership residing in Will County (or whatever county they want to name delegate or alternate to a Veterans Assistance Commission in). This is current law.

EDITED THIS PARAGRAPH ON 9-4-2022: THE 15 PAID MEMBERS REQUIREMENT WILL BE REPEALED ON January 1, 2023, however, the requirement for 25% membership residing within the county for VSOs who serve more than one county is still there, meaning currently the American Gold Star Mothers – Department of Illinois must meet both the minimum of 15 paid members and 25% of its membership residing in the county.

Finally, any alleged Bylaws of this Veterans Assistance Commission must comply with state law, and we will publish an article explaining all of the problems with their current set of bylaws. This committee cannot cite their bylaws to remain on the committee or commission when those bylaws violate state law.

This is the point where each committee member’s personal integrity either shines or shows they have none.

If they are not a current delegate or alternate of a qualified VSO they should do the right and honorable thing and resign the position they are usurping (holding without legal authority).

It appears there was at least one person who knows how things should work, and he spoke at approximately the 17:24 mark in the meeting video.

Key points in the below video:

• 3:35 – (prior to the meeting) Chairman acknowledges he is not a delegate, has not been one for a long time, and doesn’t even know who he was a delegate for when he was a delegate
• 8:52 – verification of eligibility
  • 40 & 8 is not a chartered organization
• 11:40 – looking for someplace to slot him
  • Tom is no longer a delegate
• 13:16 – there should be a reason why he is no longer a delegate of the post
• 16:12 – get to be a delegate from someplace else
• 17:34 – Bylaws cannot go against state statute, but this board cannot tell a currently sitting member they are no longer on the board
• 19:50 – Goldstar Mothers is Chartered with more than 15 paid members, with its Illinois office in Will County