Quinn asks public to support our troops by using state income tax check-off to donate to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund

Link: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/feature.php?id=259

As 5^th anniversary of Iraq war nears, fund to help military families needs donations

CHICAGO - On Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m., Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will join Illinois military reservists and their families in asking the public to support our troops by using the state income tax form check-off to donate to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

"Five years ago, Illinois set an example for the nation by creating the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, to provide financial assistance to the families of Illinois National Guard members and reservists called to active duty," Quinn said. "This year, more than 4,500 men and women in Illinois expect to be called up. Those of us on the homefront can support our troops by contributing to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund and helping the families they leave behind."

March 19 marks the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which has prompted the largest call-up of National Guard members and reservists since the Korean War.  The lengthy and repeated deployments of those troops have affected thousands of families throughout Illinois.

Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion will join Quinn to urge taxpayers to make a direct check-off donation to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, on line 28-G, as they fill out their state income tax forms.

"When the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund was created five years ago, no one knew that the need to help these families would be so great and so sustained,"  Quinn said.  "I hope everyone in the Land of Lincoln - individuals and businesses alike - will consider making a donation to the Fund to help the families of the brave men and women who are serving our country in the Global War on Terror."

Quinn stressed that there is no deadline to apply, so servicemembers can fill out the paperwork to receive the $500 grants after they return home. To make sure returned servicemembers understand that they are still eligible for the grants, U.S. Marine Corps Reservist Capt. Simon Wlodarski, of Chicago, will fill out the simple two-page application form during Sunday's event.

Quinn also will be joined by Mary Beth Beiersdorf, of Arlington Heights, and her husband, Will, who was called to active duty with his Navy Reserve unit just after September 11, 2001 - causing their household income to drop by 70 percent.  To help other families in similar circumstances, Mrs. Beiersdorf - the mother of three young children - worked with Quinn to create the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

Studies by the U.S. Department of Defense have found that more than half of all reservists report a noticeable decline in family income when they are called to active duty. To help military families who are facing financial hardship when a breadwinner is called up, the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund provides a $500 payment when a reservist or National Guard member is called to active duty for 30 days or more.  Those servicemembers are entitled to an additional $500 every six months thereafter during lengthier deployments.

The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund also provides need-based grants of up to $2,000 to help families provide for housing, food, medical care, and other necessities. Servicemembers who suffer combat-related injuries receive casualty grants of $2,000.

Over the last five years, the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund has distributed 10,777 grants totaling $5,985,500.  On March 1, the Fund balance had fallen to $945,601, so Quinn urged everyone in Illinois to consider making a direct donation to the Fund through the check-off on the Illinois state income tax form.

"When the brave military men and women of Illinois answer their nation's call, they should not have to worry that their families are suffering financially at home," Quinn said.  "Through this simple tax form check-off, we can show that we truly support our troops, and their families as well."

For more information on the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, please visit www.operationhomefront.org.