Winnebago County Board cuts budget for veteran assistance by $500K

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of Winnebago County expressed its concerns over a $500,000 reduction in its 2025 budget, approved by commissioners of the VAC.

The new budget reduction is expected to have significant effects on the essential services provided to veterans in the community, including financial assistance, VA claims representation, emergency veterans housing, homeless veteran response and emergency support.

The VAC superintendent will address the Winnebago County Finance Committee at a public meeting on Thursday, August 29 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at 404 Elm Street room 303.

The meeting will address the potential consequences of the approved cuts and call for urgent reconsideration to ensure that veterans receive critical support.

“Veterans are among our most vulnerable citizens, and this reduction could disrupt vital services that many depend on,” said the Superintendent of the VAC Jesus Pereira. “We are hopeful that by engaging with the Finance Committee and the community, we can work towards a solution that restores the necessary funding.”

The VAC is encouraging veterans and members of the city to attend to voice their opinions on the budget reduction.

The commission is worried the cut will limit their ability to provide services to the veteran community.

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