Serving Those Who Served Us
Dedicated to supporting Jefferson County veterans and their families through compassionate assistance and practical aid.
2,335+
Veterans In Jefferson County
VAC's Purpose:
Exclusively serve the veterans and their families.
Aid in filing VA Disability Compensation, serving as a Veteran Service Officer.
Aid in filing VA Pensions, Aid and Attendance, and Burial Assistance.
Provide payments for necessities such as past-due rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
Provide information to useful services such as food banks and other charitable organizations.
Serve as the hub for all veteran’s assistance in Jefferson County.
Claims Assistance
Help filing VA disability, pension, and burial claims efficiently.
Financial Aid
Support with rent, mortgage, and utility bill payments when needed.
Community Resources
Connect veterans to food banks and local charitable organizations.
Our Work
Committed to supporting Jefferson County veterans.
Disability Aid
Helping veterans file for VA disability compensation efficiently.
Community Help
Connecting veterans to local food banks and support services.
History of Illinois Veterans Assistance Commission
The Veterans Assistance Act is an Illinois state law originally conceived in the late 19th century to provide aid to honorably discharged indigent veterans of the Civil War and their families. Over time, its scope expanded to include veterans of all U.S. military conflicts as well as their widows, minor children, and dependent parents who are in financial need.
What is now referred to as the “Veterans Assistance Commission” originated as the Bogardus Act of 1874 or the Indigent War Veterans Act, which was approved in 1907.
In the 1890s, the state legislature realized that there were many injured civil war veterans that were unemployed and were not being cared for. As a result, they created the Veterans Assistance Commission which requires counties to provide relief to indigent Civil War veterans and their families. The VAC has been around throughout the state since at least the mid 1890s. Lake County VAC has been around since 1926, making it older than the VA.
Since 1926, the VAC has continued to act as the premier Veterans Service Organization in Illinois.
Beginning in the 1930s, the statute was expanded to serve Veterans from all eras and conflicts.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the statute was reorganized and codified under 330 ILCS 45/ during Illinois’ recodification of state statutes.
Beginning in the 2000s, the statute was updated by clarifying governance of VACs, budgeting authority, and reporting requirements to county boards.
Since 2020, modern amendments have been made to emphasize transparency, oversight, and accountability for VAC operations and funds.
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