Governor Quinn Welcomes Home Returning Servicemembers

CHICAGO – September 2, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today joined families and community residents in welcoming home 25 members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 318th Public Affairs Operation Center (PAOC) based in Forest Park. The unit is returning from a year-long deployment in Bagdad, Iraq.

Governor Quinn Celebrates Veterans Day at DuQuoin State Fair

DUQUOIN – August 29, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today joined Gold Star Families and servicemembers to celebrate Veteran’s Day at the 2010 DuQuoin State Fair. The Governor unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier memorial exhibition at the Governor’s Tent and joined the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) in announcing U.S. Army Veteran Elmer Rodgers as the August 2010 Veteran of the Month.

Governor Quinn Highlights Importance of Job Training for Veterans

INA – August 20, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today visited Rend Lake College (RLC) to highlight the importance of job training and opportunities for Veterans through the Helmets to Hardhats program. Twelve Illinois Veterans began training through the program at RLC last month to gain the skills necessary to pursue careers in the construction industry.

Governor Quinn Celebrates Veterans’ Day at Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD – August 15, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today joined Veterans, servicemembers and military families to celebrate Veterans’ Day at the 2010 Illinois State Fair. The Governor honored Veterans for their contributions and service to the country and the state at Veterans’ Day at the Illinois State Fair.

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Benefit Families of Illinois’ Veterans

CHICAGO – July 30, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to expand eligibility to children and grandparents of active duty service men and women for unpaid leave under the Family Military Leave Act.

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Access to Small Business Loans

ST. CHARLES – July 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that will improve access to small business loans for Illinois’ Veterans. The state’s current small business loan program provides assistance to business owners who are minorities, women or people with disabilities. The new law extends eligibility for this loan program to Veteran-owned small businesses.

Governor Quinn Signs Bills to Benefit, Honor Illinois Veterans

WHEATON – July 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to benefit Illinois Veterans at the annual “Rockin’ for the Troops” charity benefit sponsored by Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois. The two new laws will allow Veterans’ service organizations to sell the Veterans Cash lottery ticket year round and will create a specialty license plate recognizing Purple Heart Veterans.

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Expand Mental Health Coverage for Veterans

LITCHFIELD – July 8, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to expand mental health service coverage for Veterans in Illinois. The new law exempts Illinois’ Veterans from being charged for services that are not covered by their insurance plans and are received at state mental health facilities.