September 07. 2007

Springfield … Citing the need to improve services for veterans returning from active combat, State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) co-sponsored legislation recently signed into law by the Governor, creating an Illinois Discharged Service Member Task Force within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The citizens of this country are eternally grateful to the men and women who make sacrifices on a daily basis for this country,” Reboletti said. “I understand that it is not necessarily an easy adjustment for every service member returning from combat. The state needs to actively investigate this transition process from active combat to home life. To improve how the state serves veterans, we need to study the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, disabilities and other issues relevant to the re-entry into society of a combat veteran.”

The Illinois Discharged Service Member Task Force, created by HB 670, will prepare an annual report on their findings. Members of this task force would be made up of representatives of the General Assembly and Department of Veterans Affairs.

There currently is no taskforce in place to study the re-entry of combat veterans into society. The United States Department of Labor in conjunction with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs produces statistics tracking specific re-entry situations (i.e. veterans receiving civilian positions, veterans diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome, etc).

Reboletti said, “Our veterans deserve only the best service that this state can offer and this information will help improve the effectiveness of current state programs.”

Additional questions can be directed to Reboletti’s office at (630) 530-2730.

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