Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are entitled to certain rights by law, and they also have the opportunity to partake in a variety of activities and programs because of the status they earned putting their lives on the line.
A reduction or even elimination of property taxes is a legal benefit available to disabled vets like James Pierce of Lake Bluff. He served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1974. He is trying to get his status changed so his real estate tax bill goes to zero, and other benefits open to him.
“I’m seeking a major benefit change,” Pierce said. “I have sleep apnea, I get migraine headaches and I have PTSD. I’m trying to get from 70% to 100%. I’ll get my teeth done at 100%, and I won’t have to pay property taxes.”
Pierce was one of scores of veterans participating in a Veterans Resource Fair Saturday at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, learning about benefits, programs and other activities for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces from 40 vendors explaining how they can help.
Angela Walker, a member of the church and an organizer of the event, said a wide array of veterans’ services beyond healthcare are available at places like the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.
Walker said they include programs at the federal and state level, including education, burial provisions, specialized housing, cash grants in some circumstances, mental health counseling, issues unique to female vets and more.
“They’re all different,” Walker said. “Some are free. The county helps with property taxes. So many veterans have found they need help, and we want them to know where they can get it. There are groups to help with mental health and wellness.”
The Oscar Mike Foundation is dedicated to helping disabled veterans live a more fulfilling life. Kim Bilda, who was talking to veterans at the organization’s table, said vets get the opportunities not usually available to people with their particular disability.
Adaptive sports is an important part of what the organization provides. Bilda said beside things like wheelchair basketball or sled hockey, they work with partner entities to offer activities like flying lessons, skydiving and mountain climbing.
“If needed, we use adaptive equipment, including belts and harnesses to make it safe,” Bilda said. “We took a group to Estes Park, (Colorado), where they climbed the highest peak with adaptive trails. It’s 12,319 feet.”
Lake County Honor Flight had a table letting veterans know about free trips available to visit Washington, D.C., and the monuments dedicated to the wars in which they served. Shannon Hill said that, along with veterans, they are looking for volunteers to assist the honorees.
Hill said each veteran has a personal escort, known as a guardian, to tend to their needs. All former service members are required to use a wheelchair regardless of their physical condition. They are staffed by one of the volunteers.
“Every vet has a guardian from the time we leave until we get back,” Hill said. “It’s an opportunity for the vets to see the monuments dedicated to them.”
Former members of the military who served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, or the Cold War are eligible. Hill said when the monument for veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars is finished, those former servicemembers will be able to go.
State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, was going to each of the booths to learn what she could to help the veterans she represents, as well as others nearby. She said it is important for her to know, in particular, which benefits are free.
“It’s really important to provide free resources to those who have served our country with honor and those who continue to serve even in retirement,” Johnson said. “They are members of our community and their service matters.”
Among its efforts, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) educates people about how they can get assistance with their utility bills. Ivonne Rychwe, who was staffing the table for CUB, said she wanted to give veterans who need assistance an opportunity to get it.
“We want them to get the help they need,” Rychwe said. “CUB can also help with conservation and to keep the bills lower.”
