The other day, I heard on the news that several Illinois soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan. This sad occurrence has become all too common. I only hope that we will never get used to hearing that the brave men and women who defend our country and its interests have been killed in the line of duty. We need to do everything we can to honor members of the military and to assist them once they become veterans. 

One way we assist our retired soldiers is by providing veterans’ homes that make the waning years of their lives easier and more comfortable. I am proud that we have a veterans’ home here in Southern Illinois in the city of Anna. This modern, well-maintained facility has been open for more than a decade. It has 50 beds and a staff that is qualified to provide nursing care and trained to look after the special needs of veterans. Though residents are required to pay a monthly fee, it is based on their income, ensuring that all veterans have the opportunity to receive the care that they need. Getting these soldiers the care they need at an affordable cost and allowing them to stay close to home in Southern Illinois is the least we can do for the men and women who risked their lives to defend our freedom.

Since it has opened, the Anna Veterans’ Home has become very popular. Fifty beds are not enough to accommodate all the former soldiers who want to take advantage of the facility. I have been told that people sometimes spend two years or more on the facility’s waiting list. I believe that we need to do something to help speed up the process and serve more veterans. The only way that can be done is by expanding the facility and adding more beds.

When the state’s capital construction bill came up for negotiation, I made sure that the Anna Veterans’ Home was included. Since there has not been a comprehensive construction and repair plan in a decade, I knew it was important to make sure our veterans were included in the legislation. The bill that the governor signed into law included $700,000 to plan and begin construction on a 50 bed addition to the veterans’ home. Once the addition is completed, the home’s capacity will be doubled. I hope that adding these new beds will help bring down the time veterans must spend on a waiting list.

This spring, the General Assembly passed a number of bills that help veterans. One piece of legislation that will have an impact on the Anna Veterans’ Home makes it a legal requirement for veterans’ homes to keep enough nurses and caretakers on staff to fill all beds. This measure should also help cut down on the waiting time at some of the state’s veterans’ homes. We also passed a measure that expands the veterans’ wage credit for soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan—encouraging businesses to hire more veterans. I introduced measures that would have given veterans a discount on camping and hunting fees—unfortunately, they did not pass the Senate. However, I will continue to fight for additional benefits for our veterans. The men and women who risk their lives for this great country deserves all the respect and help we can give them. 

 

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