Difference Maker:
Veterans Assistance Commission of Adams County
What is the Veterans Assistance Commission of Adams County (VACAC) and why have a Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC)?
The VACAC is a County-wide organization that acts as a Veteran Assistance Organization for all of Adams County and our Veterans.
The VACAC was officially adopted by the Adams County Board in November 2023. It came to be after many months and, in many cases, years of work and preparation by a dedicated group of local Veterans and Veteran issue leaders. The VACAC began limited operation in January 2024, with our first staff member and full services very shortly after that date.
The VACAC is formed under State statute that became state law in its original form in the late 1800’s. Of the 102 counties in Illinois, the VACAC was the 46th VAC formed in Illinois; additional counties have added VACs since our inception, and there are now over 50 VACs. The VACAC is funded through the support of Adams County and our residents, grants, and foundation support. We are governed by an independent board consisting of delegates from the eligible Veteran Service Organizations in our County. Today, our Delegate Board has representatives from the Marine Corp League, Quincy American Legion, Quincy VFW, Camp Point VFW, and the Reserve Officers Association. The basic theory of having a VAC is that if the need for veteran assistance of any type is too much for our veteran organizations, they can band together and request a VAC be established. The Adams County Board unanimously approved the establishment of the VACAC when presented for a vote.
The VACAC generally assists Veterans and their families residing within Adams County in obtaining benefits and services available to them by local, county, state, and federal private organizations and government agencies.
On a daily basis, we find ourselves assisting Veterans in filing VA claims, appeals, and upgrades for the benefits they have already earned but are still waiting to receive. Filing claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be an overwhelming journey for Veterans and their families. Our staff works to make this process less daunting. We work with the Veteran and their family to advise and guide them through the entire VA process. Support and guidance for claims are especially valuable when a veteran has passed away, and we help the family obtain the benefits they deserve.
In the short term, the VACAC offers general financial assistance to help eligible Veterans, whether VA involved or not, make ends meet or deal with emergent issues. We provide financial assistance for things including food insecurity, transportation, homelessness/rent/housing, utilities, temporary housing, and home repairs, among many other items as needed. We provide advocacy for veteran issues, Veterans, and their families in a wide variety of circumstances and to many organizations and government entities. Additionally, we partner with most of the area assistance organizations to leverage all avenues of assistance for eligible Veterans. Working with our community partners, we endeavor to find some assistance for all eligible clients who seek help. Our clients are not limited by social or economic segment. We work with all veterans, meet them wherever they are in life, and offer our best options to meet their needs.
Our staff is comprised of Paul Havermale, Army Veteran, Superintendent, & Accredited VSO. Emily Watkins, Veteran Spouse, Veteran Benefits Supervisor, Deputy & Accredited VSO, and Penny Perrine,
Air Force Veteran, Administrative Assistant. By State statute and VACAC policy, the Superintendent of the VACAC must be an Honorably discharged Veteran, and all staff are suggested to be Veterans or Family of a Veteran at their hire. The VACAC staff undergoes hours of initial and ongoing training to provide the best services possible to our Veterans. We are proud and determined to help our Veterans to the best of our abilities or find a source that can help if it goes past our capabilities.
As of this writing, the VACAC has interacted with over 150 clients. Our assistance has covered the full range of VACAC services offered, from financial or general assistance to helping our VA-involved clients obtain much-needed healthcare coverage, benefit upgrades, and initial VA benefits. The additional or initial VA benefits we have helped obtain for clients total hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for the clients and for our County.
Any services we offer veterans are entirely free to the Veteran or their family. To be eligible to receive our services, a Veteran must have an “Honorable” or “General under honorable conditions” discharge from the military. The Superintendent and the VACAC Delegate Board will review other discharges case-by-case. If a veteran is deemed ineligible, we will refer veterans to community services to assist them as best we can.
If any Veteran or family member needs assistance, please call your VACAC office at:
3701 East Lake Center Dr. Suite 3
Quincy, IL. 62305
Ph: 217-515-2822
Fax: 217-214-6336
Email: VACAC@adamscountyil.gov
For Veterans – With Veterans – By Veterans
By Emily Watkins and Paul Havermale