In this issue:
- Letter from the Director
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
- Illinois Purple Heart Recovery
- Organization to Know: Park Forest American Legion Post 1198
- December Events in the Veterans Community
- Employment Opportunities
Happy December Cook County Veterans, Partners and Community Supporters!
There have been many changes in the Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs over the last few months. The most noticeable change has been the transition of leadership of the department. I am honored to begin my service to the veterans of Cook County.
As the department’s new director, I look forward to continuing partnerships, enhancing initiatives, increasing outreach and developing new programs to meet the needs of our veteran population. Some amazing highlights from our community have been the numerous Veterans Day events. Here at the County, we had the honor of celebrating the decade of service of former Director of Veterans Affairs Bill Browne.
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In the Village of Hillside, Mayor Joseph T. Tamburino hosted a reception to honor veterans’ military service at the Sheet Metal Workers Local #73 Union Hall. Special guests in attendance included 1st District Commissioner Brandon Johnson.
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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined the County’s Department of Veterans Affairs at the Village of Richton Park’s Veterans Day parade along with 6th District Commissioner Donna Miller and Village President Rick Reinbold (U.S. Navy, Vietnam veteran).
Thank you and I look forward to this joyous time of the year with our veteran community.
Maj. Deanna "De" Love, USA, Ret.
Director of Veterans Affairs
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According to the 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, 21 of every 10,000 veterans in the United States were experiencing homelessness at the start of last year.
Cook County continues to develop strategic ways to mitigate and eradicate veteran homelessness. One effort is the partnership between the Housing Authority of Cook County and the Department of Veterans Affairs through the VA Hospital. Through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher program, veterans who are homeless or facing homelessness are given support services to transition to permanent housing.
Along with housing assistance, veterans are partnered with clinical services to help combat homelessness and sustain accommodations received. More than 400 veterans and their families have been housed through the program. The program assists with moving costs, housing vouchers, security deposits and furniture.
VASH is available to veterans throughout the County. For more information or to begin the referral process contact LCSW Donald Donahue, LCSW, at 708-202-4952 or Corinne Steimer, LCSW, at 708-202-4615.
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In November, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs launched a new effort to help return unclaimed Purple Heart medals to their rightful owners or family members. Operation Purple Heart features the names and last known locations of the unclaimed medals of 11 Illinois veterans.
According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, more than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782. It is the oldest military award still presented to American service members.
The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs encourages you to review the list below and disseminate this information to veteran organizations and supporters. If you know any of these veterans or have information leading to their families, please contact the State Treasurer’s office at 800-961-8303.
Unclaimed Purple Heart Medal Recipients:
- Cawthon, Received November 1, 1992, Portland, Oregon
- Wilson, Received November 13, 1995, Chicago, Illinois
- Burns, Received November 5, 1997, Homewood, Illinois
- Moore, Received October 17, 2001, Peoria, Illinois
- Smith, Received November 18, 2002, Oak Park, Illinois
- Gorski, Received October 30, 2003, Darien, Illinois
- Tuttle, Received October 25, 2018, Decatur, Illinois
- Alexander, Received October 26, 2018, Channahon, Illinois
- Isbell or Shayer, Received October 31, 2018, Chicago, Illinois
- Steward or Vanhasselaere, Received October 31, 2018, Round Lake, Illinois
- Wiest, Received October 23, 2019, O’Fallon, Illinois
Spotlight on: Park Forest American Legion Post 1198
The Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 has been a pillar for veterans over the last 15 years. Veterans affiliated with this post, located at 1631 Western Ave. in Park Forest, continue to serve their community.
The Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 has built handicap ramps for veterans in wheelchairs, ensuring those with disabilities receive the support they need to continue to strive. In addition to assisting veterans with disabilities, the post has also replaced doors and windows for homes in need of repair.
During the holidays, the Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 has made a mighty impact! Since 2018 they have filled the community with holiday joy and food, handing out close to 900 turkey dinners to veterans and families in need. The post partners with their local Jewel store to collect donations during October and November. In return Jewel donates the turkeys with all the trimmings to allow the Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 to take care of the veterans and families in the community.
Each year, any leftover dinners are given to police and fire departments in the community. Proactive, selfless and innovative, the Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 is an organization you need to know. Stay connected with this post by visiting their Facebook page or by calling 708-481-3055.
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Know an organization in the County supporting the veteran community? Shine a spotlight on them here. Email your submission for Cook County’s Organization of the Month to veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov.
December Veterans Events
Midwest Veterans Closet Holiday Meal Giveaway
Christmas Ham with all the Fixins’
Friday, December 17, 2021, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Must have military or veteran ID Card
2323 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064
For more information call: 847-354-2108
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Ugly Christmas Sweater Holiday Bash
Raffle - 50/50 - Silent Auction – Food
1st & 2nd Place Best Ugly Sweater Prizes
Friday, December 17, 2021, 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.
American Legion Post 1052
1258 W. Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Entrance $10 in advance at https://body4vets.ticketleap.com & $15 at the door
All proceeds benefit Bodyworks for Vets
Christmas Party & Secret Santa
Free Potluck, Specialty Cocktails and Music
Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Tattler Post #973
4355 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Veterans Holiday Feast Curbside Pick-Up
Inviting all Veterans and their families to a free hot holiday to-go meal with curbside pickup at Chandler’s. Limited delivery option is available to homebound Schaumburg residents.
Saturday, December 18, 2021, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Chandler’s Chophouse
401 N. Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Registration is required at: https://bit.ly/3ogFCxb
For more information or if you’re interested in volunteering email: ginar@tricksterculturalcenter.org
9th District American Legion Auxillary Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Breakfast Includes bacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes for a $7 donation
Bake sale and Christmas treats will also be available
Sunday, December 19, 2021, 9 a.m. - noon
Franklin Park American Legion Post 974
9757 Pacific Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60631
For more information contact Nancy Stevens at 708-562-4888 or visit https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost974FranklinPark/
Monday Night Football Party with VFW Post 981
Come enjoy pizza and a fun evening watcing the the Bears vs. the Vikings
Monday, December 20, 2021 at 7 p.m.
121 N. Douglas Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Veterans New Beginnings has partnered with Amazon
There are more 300 positions available for veterans
Positions are available in: Joliet, Markham and Mattenson
For more information, contact LaShun Nash at 312-554-9991 or lashunnash25@gmail.com
25th Ward Virtual Hiring Event
Get started December 14: Connect with industry professionals in IT, healthcare, transportation and retail, 10a.m. - noon
Connect with employers December 16: Attend informational sessions with employers, 10 a.m. - noon
Register at: https://bit.ly/25thWardHiringEvent
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