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Honoring Veterans
Rep.Ford Expands PTSD Support Through K9s for Veterans
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Dear Reader,
On November 11, 2026, we come together to observe Veterans Day, a time to honor the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifices have helped protect the freedoms we cherish today. As we recognize their service, we must also reaffirm our responsibility to ensure that our veterans receive the respect, resources, and support they deserve long after their military service has ended.
Since being elected to the Illinois General Assembly, I have made it a priority to work closely with local veterans' organizations to better understand the challenges facing those who have served our country. Through these partnerships, I have introduced and supported legislation aimed at improving veterans' quality of life, expanding access to essential resources, and addressing the physical and mental health challenges many veterans experience.
One legislative accomplishment I am particularly proud of is Public Act 101-0248, which I sponsored to raise awareness and support for veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This legislation established the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Fund and authorized a special license plate decal initiative benefiting K9s for Veterans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans experiencing PTSD. Funds generated through this initiative help provide education, awareness, and meaningful assistance to veterans as they transition back into civilian life.
I am proud of the work K9s for Veterans continues to do in helping veterans navigate the emotional and psychological challenges that can follow military service. Michael Tellerino, Founder of K9s for Veterans, has been an important advocate for ensuring that veterans living with PTSD receive the recognition and support they deserve. Initiatives like these remind us that honoring our veterans requires more than words of gratitude; it demands meaningful action and a lasting commitment to their well-being.
As we commemorate Veterans Day 2026, let us remember that many veterans continue to face challenges related to mental health, housing, employment, healthcare, and access to essential services. We must remain committed to addressing these needs, supporting military families, and ensuring that no veteran is forgotten or left behind.
To every veteran across Illinois and throughout our nation, thank you for your service, your courage, and your sacrifice. I remain committed to advocating for policies and resources that honor your contributions and support your future. May we continue to show our appreciation not only on Veterans Day but every day of the year.
Sincerely,
La Shawn K. Ford
State Representative, Eighth District
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Rep. Ford’s Commitment to Veterans
A Proven Record of Support and Service
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- Introduced and passed House Resolution 0622 (95th GA) urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation to allow free mailing of letters and packages to combat troops
- Introduced and passed legislation which became law which establishes special vehicle license decals to support the treatment of veterans with PTSD through K-9s for Veterans (Public Act 101-0248)
- Introduced and passed legislation that became law that requires state universities to report on the recruitment and retention of veterans (Public Act 103-0862)
- Joined to support the Combined Veterans of Berwyn and spoke at Flag Day celebration, Proska Park, Berwyn
- Named Veteran and Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Jonathan Tate as his District Community and Veterans Outreach Coordinator
- Held coffee in Oak Park in September 2013 bringing together service providers and veterans
- Awarded Patriotic Employer Award from the Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, in recognition of his extraordinary support of a member of his staff who is serving in the Illinois Army National Guard
- Awarded a flag that had flown over Kuwait on 9/11/2014, presented by the Illinois Army National Guard
- Spoke at the Deployment Ceremony at the North Riverside Armory for the 710th Area Support Medical Company being deployed to Afghanistan
- Gave Award of Recognition to the outgoing Headquarters Company Commander of the 108th Sustainment Brigade, Captain Elliott Griggs
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Veterans Day 2026
Free Meals, Discounts, and Community Events Honoring America’s Heroes
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This Veterans Day 2026, communities across the nation are coming together to honor the men and women who have served our country. Restaurants, retailers, and local organizations are offering free meals, special discounts, and public ceremonies to show appreciation for veterans and active-duty service members. From parades and flag-raising ceremonies to community service events, the day serves as a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices made in defense
of our freedom.
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Events today
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Chicago, Soldier Field: NBC Chicago lists the city's Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony at Soldier Field but gives no time. In past years it has been open to the public and started at 11 a.m. inside Soldier Field's United Club. I couldn't find the city's 2026 announcement, so call the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs to confirm before you go. Click here to learn more
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Aurora parade: It starts at 10:15 a.m. at Water St. and Downer Pl. and ends at the GAR Military Museum (23 E. Downer Place). A ceremony there includes a rifle salute at 11 a.m., the hour the WWI armistice was signed. Click here to learn more
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North Aurora: 11 a.m. at the newly updated Veterans Memorial (Willow Way and Farview Drive), with the first flag raising at the memorial and a flag retirement ceremony. Click here to learn more
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Lombard: 11 a.m. at the Sunken Garden at Lombard Commons, with remarks from local officials, a color guard and a rifle salute. Click here to learn more
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Marion (southern Illinois): The city lists Veterans Day ceremonies for Nov. 11, 2026. Click here to learn more
Coming up
- Naperville Responds for Veterans "Cheers Gala," Nov. 14, 6–11 p.m. at Bobak's Signature Events in Woodridge
- Military Memorials Walking Tour, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. (Naperville area)
Free meals and giveaways today (bring a military ID or other proof of service)
- Applebee's: free meal from a special Veterans Day menu, dine-in only
- Chili's: free select entree, dine-in, at suburban locations including Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Naperville, Rosemont, Waukegan and Wheaton
- Golden Corral: free buffet and drink from 4 p.m. to close at Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bloomingdale and Bolingbrook
- Mission BBQ: free sandwich in Downers Grove, Gurnee and Naperville, with a live national anthem at noon
- Yard House: free appetizer when dining in at Glenview, Lombard, Naperville and Vernon Hills
- Bubba's 33: free lunch 11 a.m.–4 p.m., or a voucher for a later
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Texas Roadhouse: free meal voucher, good for dine-in or carry-out veteran
- Freddy's: free combo meal card, no purchase needed, good through Nov. 25.
- Einstein Bros.: free coffee and bagel with shmear all day
- Circle K: free medium hot or iced coffee with military ID
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Chipotle: free chips and dip with a $5+ purchase veteran
- TCBY: one free 6 oz. frozen yogurt
Free museum entry: Veterans get free admission at the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, and Brookfield Zoo is free for veterans year-round.
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ABC 7 News Reports
November 10, 2026
| What's open and closed on Veterans Day 2026 | |
Veterans Day will be celebrated nationwide this coming Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The holiday honors active and former U.S. service members and is one of 11 of the United States' federal holidays. This means that all non-essential government agencies will be closed on Wednesday. Here's what else will be closed on Veterans Day this year.
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WGN News Reports
November 10, 2026
| Veterans Day Deals 2026: Where to get free food and discounts across Chicagoland | |
CHICAGO (WGN) — On Wednesday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day, Chicagoland-area restaurants will once again thank military members, past and present, for their service.
Freebies, deals, delicious deals, and discounts are just some of the ways local eateries are celebrating those who served. A valid military ID is required.
WGN News has compiled a list of free meals, deals, and discounts for all military members to mark the annual holiday, with help from Military.com. Did we miss something? Let us know! Thank you for your service!
| The DuSable Museum Announces Free Admission for Veterans | |
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center announced the launch of a new initiative providing free Museum admission to veterans beginning Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. The initiative recognizes the service and sacrifice of veterans while creating greater opportunities for them to engage with the stories, people and experiences being preserved and amplified through the work of the Museum.
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City of Chicago Reports
November 11, 1918
| | Chicago to Honor Those Who Served at Annual Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony | | |
CHICAGO — The City of Chicago will host its annual Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Soldier Field in the first-floor United Club (1410 S. Special Olympics Drive). The annual ceremony brings together veterans, military families, elected officials and community members to honor the courage, sacrifice and dedication of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Doors open at 10 a.m., with entry at Gate 0.
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Chicago Star Reports
November 10, 2026
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Honoring those who serve: Chicago puts on annual Veterans Day ceremony
at Soldier Field
| | Chicago will hold its annual Veterans Day commemoration ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Soldier Field, bringing veterans, military families, elected officials, and community members together to honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in the first-floor United Club at 1410 S. Special Olympics Drive. Doors open at 10 a.m. at Gate 0. | | |
Chicago Parent Reports
November 9, 2026
| | Celebrate Veterans Day with these family-friendly events in Chicago | | Families across Chicagoland can celebrate Veterans Day with parades, breakfasts and ceremonies happening Nov. 1–11 that honor those who served. From Wheaton to Brookfield, these Veterans Day events near Chicago bring the community together in gratitude — offering family-friendly ways to learn, remember and show support. | | |
Tracing the Legacy
The Origins and Meaning of Veterans Day
| This section explores the history of Veterans Day, from its beginnings as Armistice Day after World War I to its expansion into a national day of gratitude for all U.S. veterans. It clarifies the distinction between Veterans Day, which honors all living veterans, and Memorial Day, dedicated to those who died in service. Key traditions, such as moments of silence and ceremonies, are also highlighted to connect readers with the day’s significance. | |
History Reports
November 11, 1918
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Armistice Day: World War I ends
| | At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France. The First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded, with Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France and Great Britain each losing nearly a million or more lives. In addition, at least five million civilians died from disease, starvation or exposure. | |
World War I Armistice Day
Celebrations | History
| The Armistice (11:00AM / 11th day / 11th month / 1918 ) | |
History Reports
January 31, 2024
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Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, and Veterans Day 2024 will occur on Monday, November 11. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.”
Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.
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The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Reports
June 10, 2024
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World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the
war to end all wars.”
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
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The National World War I Museum and Memorial Reports
November 11, 2023
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The Origins of Veterans Day
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Fighting ended on the Western Front of the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918. Celebrations of the end of war soon turned solemn, in remembrance of all who were lost. Armistice Day, officially recognized by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, began to be observed throughout the world, honoring those who brought about the end of the “Great War.”
Armistice Day continued to be an important part of national identity and global memory, even as the world entered another war in 1939. In the aftermath of World War II, the day took on additional meaning. British Commonwealth countries adopted the name “Remembrance Day” or “Remembrance Sunday,” commemorating all soldiers who died, not just those of World War I.
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Unsung Heroes
The Courage and Sacrifice of Black Soldiers in World War II
| During World War II, over one million Black soldiers served with bravery and determination despite facing segregation and discrimination both at home and abroad. They played vital roles in every branch of the military—serving as pilots, engineers, medics, and infantrymen—proving their skill and dedication to a nation that often denied them equality. Their service paved the way for the civil rights movement and laid the foundation for greater racial integration in the U.S. Armed Forces. | |
World War II Museum Reports
February 1, 2020
| African Americans Fought for Freedom at Home and Abroad during World War II | More than one million African American men and women served in every branch of the US armed forces during World War II. In addition to battling the forces of Fascism abroad, these Americans also battled racism in the United States and in the US military. The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps all segregated African Americans into separate units because of the belief that they were not as capable as white service members. Adding to this indignity, the Army frequently assigned White officers from the American South to command Black infantrymen. | National Archives Reports |
Black Soldiers in the U.S. Military During
the Civil War
| The issues of emancipation and military service were intertwined from the onset of the Civil War. News from Fort Sumter set off a rush by free black men to enlist in U.S. military units. They were turned away, however, because a Federal law dating from 1792 barred Negroes from bearing arms for the U.S. army (although they had served in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812). In Boston disappointed would-be volunteers met and passed a resolution requesting that the Government modify its laws to permit their enlistment. | |
American Battlefield Reports
February 1, 2020
| African Americans in America's Wars | Just as the American Civil War is often conceptualized as a conflict between white northerners and white southerners, during which black slaves and free people waited on the sidelines for their fates to be decided, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 tend to be portrayed as stories for and by white Americans and their British opponents. From the very beginning of our nation's history, however, African American knew better, recognizing that these fights were their fights. | |
History Reports
January 31, 2025
| Black Americans Who Served in WWII Faced Segregation Abroad and at Home | |
Although African Americans had participated in every conflict since the Revolutionary War, they had done so segregated, and FDR appointee Henry Stimson, the Secretary of War, was not interested in changing the status quo. With a need to shore up the U.S. Armed Forces as war intensified in Europe, FDR decided that Black men could register for the draft, but they would remain segregated and the military would determine the proportion of Blacks inducted into the service.
The compromise represented the paradoxical experience that befell the 1.2 million African American men who served in World War II: They fought for democracy overseas while being treated like second-class citizens by their own country.
| The Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces, made significant contributions during World War II, overcoming segregation and discrimination to serve with distinction. Known for their skill and bravery, they flew numerous combat missions, protecting bombers and achieving impressive records, which challenged racial stereotypes and paved the way for the integration of the U.S. military. This Veterans Day, we honor their legacy and the sacrifices of all veterans who have defended our nation’s freedoms, recognizing the courage of those like the Tuskegee Airmen who fought both abroad and against injustices at home. | |
History Reports
January 26, 2021
| The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps (AAC), a precursor of the U.S. Air Force. Trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, they flew more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa during World War II. Their impressive performance earned them more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and helped encourage the eventual integration of the U.S. armed forces. | Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? | Tuskegee Airmen Reach New Heights | Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage | |
PBS News Reports
January 28, 2022
| Who Are The Tuskegee Airmen? | |
During a time when segregation was the societal standard, racism was widely practiced and Black Americans were widely discriminated against, the United States was in the shadow of Pearl Harbor and on the brink of World War II. At the same time, the U.S. was ranked the 16th largest military in the world and desperately needed pilots.
Due to the uncertainty of another world war coupled with a lack of military manpower, in 1939 the U.S. government created the Civilian Pilot Training Program, according to the Smithsonian Institute. This federally-funded and segregated program allowed Black Americans to train on combat aircraft and learn how to fly in case of another war. Black Americans were already allowed in the military, but they hadn’t been allowed to train as pilots yet.
| Airforce Historical Support Division Reports | Those air crew and ground crew personnel associated with black flying units of the Army Air Forces (AAF) during World War II are known as the Tuskegee Airmen. On 16 January 1941, Secretary of the Army Henry L. Stimson authorized the formation of a black pursuit squadron. The 99th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron was activated in March 1941 and began training in separate facilities at Tuskegee, Alabama, on 15 November. The 99th Squadron, equipped with Curtiss P-40s and later Bell P-39s, was sent to French Morocco in April 1943, and it continued combat service from bases in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy. In February 1944, the 99th Squadron was joined by three other fighter squadrons, the 100th, the 301st, and the 302nd, and all four squadrons constituted the 332nd Fighter Group, commanded by Colonel (later Lieutenant General) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. The group converted to Republic P-47s in April-May 1944 and to North American P-51s in June. Until the end of the war in Europe, it escorted Fifteenth Air Force bombers and made attacks on ground targets from its bases in Italy. The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for an escort mission to Berlin on 24 March 1945. | Tuskegee Airman Museum Reports | The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America’s first black military airmen, at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage, and patriotism. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit. Each one possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States of America at the best of his ability. Those who possessed the physical and mental qualifications were accepted as aviation cadets to be trained initially as single-engine pilots and later to be either twin-engine pilots, navigators, or bombardiers. Most were college graduates or undergraduates. | The Tuskegee Airmen: The Forgotten All-Black Fighter Unit Of WW2 | |
Championing Veterans
Rep. La Shawn K. Ford’s Legislative Advocacy
| Here, we highlight Rep. Ford’s dedication to veteran causes through impactful legislation. His work to expand healthcare access, enhance mental health support, prevent homelessness, and increase job opportunities demonstrates a commitment to improving veterans' lives. Readers are encouraged to learn about his legislative efforts and support policies that uplift veterans | Property Tax Relief for Veterans | |
The Chicago Defender Reports
June 25, 2024
| Ford Effort Eliminates World War II Veteran Property Taxes | |
Homeowners who are World War II veterans will no longer have to pay property taxes under a plan pushed by state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, that was included in a recently passed property tax reform package.
“We should cherish and respect our remaining World War II veterans, whose service can never be forgotten,” Ford said. “Ending the need for them to deal with property taxes is a small token of our gratitude and appreciation for their lifetime of contributions to our country and state.”
| Click Image Below to View HB1048, sponsored by State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford | Click Image Below to View Section 15-10 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 35 (35 ILCS 200/15-10) of the Property Tax Code |
Healing Invisible Wounds
Psychedelic Mushrooms Offer New Hope for Veterans with PTSD"
| Recent studies and pilot programs are exploring the use of psychedelic mushrooms, specifically psilocybin, as a potential treatment for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Early research suggests that psilocybin-assisted therapy may help reduce symptoms, promote emotional healing, and improve overall mental health. Advocates believe that this innovative approach could provide a safer and more effective alternative to traditional medications for veterans coping with the lasting effects of trauma. | Veterans Say Psychedelics are Helping Them Treat Their PTSD | |
Illinois Capitol News Reports
January 17, 2023
| | Illinois lawmaker introduces psychedelic therapy legislation | |
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Magic mushrooms could be on their way to gaining legal medical status in Illinois.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) has introduced legislation to create a state-regulated psychedelic therapy program.
The Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act (CURE) Act would legalize psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, in licensed medical settings.
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NBC 5 News Reports
January 19, 2023
| How Illinois' Psychedelic Therapy Program Would Work, If it Passes the General Assembly | |
“Illinois has an opportunity to be a leader in the Midwest for this kind of facilitated use of psychedelics and the demand is here, the research is out there,” said Jean Lacey, executive director of Entheo IL, a coalition that is advocating for the passage of Illinois HB1.
Called the CURE Act, CURE stands for Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens.
“Entheogens are a class of substances that encompass compounds like psilocybin, like DMT, like LSD, all of these substances induce this kind of mystical experience or altered state of consciousness that that people describe as entheogenic,” Lacey said.
After being approached by doctors, veterans battling PTSD and other researchers, State Rep. La Shawn Ford sponsored the bill that treats psychedelics differently than cannabis.
“That's very important that there will be no retail sales, that you can't take it home to use. You have to stay in a healthcare setting,” Rep. Ford said.
| A Veteran Copes with PTSD: Brandon's Story | | |
Fox 32 News Reports
March 8, 2023
| Illinois looks at legalizing psilocybin to treat mental health issues | | |
Rush University Medical Center is hoping to generate more success stories. They’re launching a new study looking at the use of synthetic psilocybin and treatment resistant depression.
"In psychiatry, we hear the word psychedelic and we don't necessarily think these are drugs that cause hallucinations," says Dr. John Zajecka, a psychiatrist at Rush. "We're really looking at that mechanism of action."
With this promising research in mind, Illinois State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-8th) has introduced the Illinois Cure Act, which would create safe, legal access to similar therapy through a licensing process.
"We want to regulate it and make sure it is safe and people have safe places to receive the therapy," Ford said.
| | Click Image Below to View HB0001, sponsored by State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford | | Do you support Rep. Ford's HB 1, which aims to decriminalize psilocybin in Illinois by removing it from the list of Schedule 1 substances in the IL Controlled Substances Act, thereby eliminating the criminal penalties for possession and sale of psilocybin? | | |
Veteran Voices
Celebrating Local Heroes
| | WW2 Veteran’s Heartbreaking Story | Memoirs Of WWII #31 | | 109-Year-Old Veteran and His Secrets to Life Will Make You Smile | Short Film Showcase | |
USS Indianapolis Survivor Relives Horrifying Experience | Memoirs
Of WWII #38
| Veteran Recalls the Horrors of D-Day | Memoirs Of WWII #32 | | African American Veterans Share Their Experiences in Vietnam | |
Trump Era Policies
Current Impact on Veterans’ Healthcare, Benefits, and Medical Debt
| Recent changes stemming from the Trump administration continue to affect veterans’ access to healthcare and benefits. Significant staff reductions at the VA have led to longer wait times for care, delays in claims processing, and limited availability of specialized treatments. Many veterans are now facing increased medical debt due to billing errors, gaps in coverage, and reduced access to timely care. Advocates warn that these ongoing policy shifts, framed as efficiency reforms, are placing additional financial and health burdens on those who have served the nation. | |
Chicago Tribune Reports
November 10, 2025
| Column: On Nov. 11, veterans can’t defend against VA cutbacks | |
Nov. 11 is the day U.S. veterans should be remembering their military service, or swapping stories with fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
This week, though, they’re more worried about cuts at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and keeping the benefits they earned and were promised while in uniform. As the longest federal shutdown in history continues apace, it has so far forced nearly 37,000 VA workers to be either furloughed or to continue working without pay, the VA said last month.
Despite that, the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago is operating under normal hours and continuing services, the VA says. More than 25% of the VA’s 482,000-strong workforce is comprised of veterans, according to The Associated Press.
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Newsweek Reports
November 9, 2025
| ‘Vets Say No’: Veterans Set to Protest Against Trump Nationwide | |
Veterans are set to participate in a day of protests called "Vets Say No" to challenge President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday.
The protests, organized by About Face, a movement of post 9/11 veterans, and May Day Strong, a self-described anti-authoritarian movement, will take place on Veterans Day, November 11, in different cities in states
across the country.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) directed Newsweek to a news release that said it has "multiple safeguards in place" to ensure staff reductions in the department "do not impact veteran care or benefits.
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GAO Report Exposes VA Billing Failure
Leaving Veterans at Risk of Medical Debt
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As we honor our nation’s veterans this Veterans Day, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reminds us of a deeper issue—many veterans are still struggling under the weight of medical debt due to systemic failures within the healthcare system meant to serve them. The 2008 GAO investigation found that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lost billions in potential reimbursements from private insurance companies because of poor billing practices, coding errors, and weak oversight. These inefficiencies not only cost taxpayers but also leave veterans vulnerable—often forced to navigate unpaid medical bills or delayed care. True appreciation for our veterans means ensuring they receive the medical and financial security they’ve earned, not bureaucratic barriers that
deepen their hardship.
| Click image below to view the report | |
Verizon Reports
September 22, 2025
| Verizon and Chicago Bears Partner to Provide $2 Million in Medical Debt Relief for Illinois Veterans | |
CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Great Lakes and the Chicago Bears today announced a partnership to provide $2 million in medical debt relief specifically for Illinois veterans, as part of Verizon's groundbreaking $22 million commitment to eliminate crushing medical debt for veterans across the Great Lakes region through 2026.
This initiative targets the crushing weight of medical debt—a significant burden that disproportionately affects veterans transitioning to civilian life and seeking care. By removing this obstacle, the program aims to provide a pathway to greater financial stability for those who have served the nation.
Since launching in 2024, Verizon's veteran medical debt relief program has already erased $8.79 million in medical debt for over 6,000 veterans throughout the Great Lakes market, providing an average of more than $1,400 in relief per veteran
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Reports
September 22, 2025
| Manage your VA debt for benefit overpayments and copay bills | Review your current VA benefit overpayment or copay bill balances online. And find out how to make payments or request help now. | |
Click Images Below to Find Resources
for Veterans
| | Rep. Ford's Daily Job Leads | |
Birth/ Fetal Death
Job Requisition ID: 59639
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026
Agency: Department of Public Health
Class Title: EXECUTIVE I - 13851
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option:
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,135/month;
Full Range $6,135-$8,790 /month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 2
Click Here to Apply
Agencies and Institutions
Job Requisition ID: 59757
Opening Date: 10/29/2026
Closing Date: 11/13/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Title: Child Welfare Specialist (Upward Mobility Program)
Class Title: CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST - 07218
Skill Option: UMP Credential
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460 a month;
Full Range $6,460 - $9,337 a month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Click Here to Apply
Health Information Technology Supervisor
Job Requisition ID: 58720
Opening Date: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: 11/12/2026
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
BPIS: 07774
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: General Administration/Business
Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary range $8,500-$10,500
based on experience
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Click Here to Apply
Juvenile Justice Special Intern
Job Requisition ID: 54600
Opening Date: 03/31/2026
Closing Date: Continuous Job Posting
Class Title: JUV JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN (21976)
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Starting Salary: $5417.00/mo.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC006 Corrections Employees,
AFSCME
Click Here to Apply
| Click below to view job highlights from previous dates | | | | |
