The American Legion has partnered with the Coalition to Salute
America's Heroes in an effort to distribute $500.00 grants to service
members who have a 30% or higher disability rating as a result of
injuries sustained while serving in the theaters of operations for
Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The
American Legion will distribute a total of $500,000 to OIF/OEF
veterans meeting the criteria.
ILLINOIS VETERANS: Public Act 95-0644 provides the following
property tax exemptions:
Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption (35ILCS 200/15-167)
provides a one-time $5000 reduction in a property's equalized
assessed value to qualifying veterans who return from active duty in
an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. To
receive this exemption, the veteran must file an application upon their
return home.
Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS
200/15-169) provides a reduction in a property's EAV to qualifying
property owned by a veteran with a service connected disability
certified by the US Department of Veterans' Affairs. A $2500
homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service
connected disability of at least 50% but less than 75% or a $5000
homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service
connected disability of at least &5%. A disabled veteran must file an
annual application by the county's due date to continue to receive
this exemption.
Required documents: DD214, Certified copy of disability % award.
Call 1-800-827-1000 for more info.
The Decatur Clinic has received approval for funding of a strategic
initiative for expansion of optometry. The packaging in into
contracting and is seeking a contractor. Hopefully the early part of
2009 we will be seeing optometry at that outpatient clinic.
America's Heroes in an effort to distribute $500.00 grants to service
members who have a 30% or higher disability rating as a result of
injuries sustained while serving in the theaters of operations for
Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The
American Legion will distribute a total of $500,000 to OIF/OEF
veterans meeting the criteria.
ILLINOIS VETERANS: Public Act 95-0644 provides the following
property tax exemptions:
Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption (35ILCS 200/15-167)
provides a one-time $5000 reduction in a property's equalized
assessed value to qualifying veterans who return from active duty in
an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. To
receive this exemption, the veteran must file an application upon their
return home.
Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS
200/15-169) provides a reduction in a property's EAV to qualifying
property owned by a veteran with a service connected disability
certified by the US Department of Veterans' Affairs. A $2500
homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service
connected disability of at least 50% but less than 75% or a $5000
homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service
connected disability of at least &5%. A disabled veteran must file an
annual application by the county's due date to continue to receive
this exemption.
Required documents: DD214, Certified copy of disability % award.
Call 1-800-827-1000 for more info.
The Decatur Clinic has received approval for funding of a strategic
initiative for expansion of optometry. The packaging in into
contracting and is seeking a contractor. Hopefully the early part of
2009 we will be seeing optometry at that outpatient clinic.
Blood Tests
Suggest Reason
Behind Gulf War
Syndrome
Source:
INSIGHT
Title: "Sickness and Secrecy"
Date: August 25, 1997
Author: Paul M. Rodriquez
SSU Censored Researchers:
Robin Stovall and Kecia Kaiser
SSU Faculty Evaluator: Andy Merri-
field, Ph. D.
Gulf War-related illnesses are rampant
among American war veterans. One sug-
gestion as to the cause of the illnesses
has surfaced with new blood tests on
the most seriously ill victimes. A
synthetic substance, squalene, banned
for use in humans, has been found in
blood tests of hundreds of sick Gulf War
veterans, some of whom never left U.S.
soil. Complicating the issue is the U.S.
Department of Defense's "loss" of over
700,000 service-related immunization
records, which might provede a clue as
to why squalene is showing up in Gulf
War veterans' blood samples.
Analysis of the blood samples has
shown antibody levels of the experi-
mental adjuvant compound known as
squalene. This compound, not approved
for internal human use other than in
highly controlled experiments, has been
sutdied on animals and humans as a
promising tool that might help boost the
body immune systems against influenza,
herpes simplex, and HIV. Only govern-
ment agencies are involved in human
experimental tests using adjuvants
(including squalene) yet the government
has denied that experimental HIV
immunization tests were ever expanded
to the general population of sick people
or military personnel.
The military has rejected any claim that
immunizations administered to Gulf
War military personnel prior to leaving
for the war contained any adjuvants, but
actual immunization records for the
period have either been lost or
destroyed. This has led to speculation in
several circles that the government
used military personnel to test
experimental immunizations.
Military samples of blood drawn from
the vets showed positive reactions for
squalene antibodies. Samples of test
subjects involved in federal
experimental HIV studies also show
positive reactions for squalene. It
should be noted the medication
administered to those involved in this
HIV study contained the adjuvant
squalene. These test subjects have
never served in the military.
Suggest Reason
Behind Gulf War
Syndrome
Source:
INSIGHT
Title: "Sickness and Secrecy"
Date: August 25, 1997
Author: Paul M. Rodriquez
SSU Censored Researchers:
Robin Stovall and Kecia Kaiser
SSU Faculty Evaluator: Andy Merri-
field, Ph. D.
Gulf War-related illnesses are rampant
among American war veterans. One sug-
gestion as to the cause of the illnesses
has surfaced with new blood tests on
the most seriously ill victimes. A
synthetic substance, squalene, banned
for use in humans, has been found in
blood tests of hundreds of sick Gulf War
veterans, some of whom never left U.S.
soil. Complicating the issue is the U.S.
Department of Defense's "loss" of over
700,000 service-related immunization
records, which might provede a clue as
to why squalene is showing up in Gulf
War veterans' blood samples.
Analysis of the blood samples has
shown antibody levels of the experi-
mental adjuvant compound known as
squalene. This compound, not approved
for internal human use other than in
highly controlled experiments, has been
sutdied on animals and humans as a
promising tool that might help boost the
body immune systems against influenza,
herpes simplex, and HIV. Only govern-
ment agencies are involved in human
experimental tests using adjuvants
(including squalene) yet the government
has denied that experimental HIV
immunization tests were ever expanded
to the general population of sick people
or military personnel.
The military has rejected any claim that
immunizations administered to Gulf
War military personnel prior to leaving
for the war contained any adjuvants, but
actual immunization records for the
period have either been lost or
destroyed. This has led to speculation in
several circles that the government
used military personnel to test
experimental immunizations.
Military samples of blood drawn from
the vets showed positive reactions for
squalene antibodies. Samples of test
subjects involved in federal
experimental HIV studies also show
positive reactions for squalene. It
should be noted the medication
administered to those involved in this
HIV study contained the adjuvant
squalene. These test subjects have
never served in the military.
A military lab researcher interviewed by
Insight was quoted as saying, "We have
found soldiers who are not sick that do
not have the antibodies, and we found
soldiers who never left the United States,
but who got shots (administered by the
military) who are sick- and they have
squalene in their systems. We found
people who served overseas in various
parts of the desert that are sick who have
squalene. And we found people who
served in the desert but were civilians
who never got the shots, who are not sick
and do not have squalene"
Many people believe that there is
probably no single cause for Gulf War
Syndrome. Due to the disappearance of
the inoculation records, even the most
elementary checks cannot occur.
UPDATE BY AUTHOR PAUL RODRIQUEZ
"Since publication, none of the so-called
mainstream press has followed up on the
original story (or subsequent reports) by
Insight. This may be due to the controver-
sial nature of the issue and/or obstruction
by military and politicos who alternatively
have denied, rejected, or brushed aside
the story.
"The Insight stories were (and are) based
on preliminary and ongoing medical tests
by one of country's most prestigious
laboratories. This laboratory, which plans
soon to seek "peer" reviews, has initially
confirmed the highly unusual discovery of
antibodies to a polymer compound called
squalene in the blood of sick Gulf War
soldiers who served overseas as well as
in the blood of those who never left the
United States. In both camps, the sick
soldiers received multiple inoculations
and immunizations.
"At first, Defense Department and
military/veterans' officials denied they had
such a substance, even experimentally.
Then slowly over many months it was
learned-and officials conceded- that
squalene has been, in face, tested
extensively as a promising new 'adjuvant'
compound in experimental drugs to
protect troops against malaria, herpes,
and potentially even HIV. However, to this
day, the government denies it ever used
squalene during the Gulf War period.
"This poses several intriguing ques-
tions, not the least of which is: Why does
something that's not supposed to be
there show up in sick vets? Bipartisan
members of Congress and the General
Accounting Office are now looking into
the issue. Insight will continue to report
what is found, and of cours, what is not
found."
Insight was quoted as saying, "We have
found soldiers who are not sick that do
not have the antibodies, and we found
soldiers who never left the United States,
but who got shots (administered by the
military) who are sick- and they have
squalene in their systems. We found
people who served overseas in various
parts of the desert that are sick who have
squalene. And we found people who
served in the desert but were civilians
who never got the shots, who are not sick
and do not have squalene"
Many people believe that there is
probably no single cause for Gulf War
Syndrome. Due to the disappearance of
the inoculation records, even the most
elementary checks cannot occur.
UPDATE BY AUTHOR PAUL RODRIQUEZ
"Since publication, none of the so-called
mainstream press has followed up on the
original story (or subsequent reports) by
Insight. This may be due to the controver-
sial nature of the issue and/or obstruction
by military and politicos who alternatively
have denied, rejected, or brushed aside
the story.
"The Insight stories were (and are) based
on preliminary and ongoing medical tests
by one of country's most prestigious
laboratories. This laboratory, which plans
soon to seek "peer" reviews, has initially
confirmed the highly unusual discovery of
antibodies to a polymer compound called
squalene in the blood of sick Gulf War
soldiers who served overseas as well as
in the blood of those who never left the
United States. In both camps, the sick
soldiers received multiple inoculations
and immunizations.
"At first, Defense Department and
military/veterans' officials denied they had
such a substance, even experimentally.
Then slowly over many months it was
learned-and officials conceded- that
squalene has been, in face, tested
extensively as a promising new 'adjuvant'
compound in experimental drugs to
protect troops against malaria, herpes,
and potentially even HIV. However, to this
day, the government denies it ever used
squalene during the Gulf War period.
"This poses several intriguing ques-
tions, not the least of which is: Why does
something that's not supposed to be
there show up in sick vets? Bipartisan
members of Congress and the General
Accounting Office are now looking into
the issue. Insight will continue to report
what is found, and of cours, what is not
found."
SPRINGFIELD--(ENEWSPF)--May 5, 2009. Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director
Dan Grant says veterans will have added assistance in getting information about both state and
federal benefits. Director Grant's comments are in reference to the state department of veterans
affairs opening Veteran Service Offices at Lincoln Land College in Springfield, Parkland Community
College in Champaign and Western Illinois University in Macomb.
"The Veteran Service Offices are great resources for our Veterans to receive one-on-one
assistance and to learn about what state and federal benefits are available to them. We want to
make sure our service men and women know about the benefits that they are entitled to when they
return home to Illinois," IDVA Director Dan Grant said.
Beginning May 6th, Veterans may receive assistance from representatives of the state's 74 Veteran
Services Officers (VSOs) on the first and third Wednesday each month from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00
p.m. at:
Lincoln Land College
Menard Hall R, 113
5250 Shepherd Road
Springfield
217/786-4508 or 2224
Parkland Community College
Administration Bldg, Room 150
2400 W. Bradley Avenue
Champaign
217/353-2309
Western Illinois University
University Union - 1st Floor
Violet Room
Macomb
309/298-1959
The VSOs offer help to Veterans applying for and receiving compensation and other benefits from
the federal Veterans' Administration. Additionally VSOs inform Veterans of available state
resources. Their primary job responsibility is assisting in applying for the millions of dollars in federal
money that goes unclaimed each year by the 23.8 million Veterans across the country, and serve
as a liaison between the state and the federal VA.
Veteran Service Offices serve as sign-up locations and informational hubs for the state's programs
and benefits, including the following:
. Illinois Warrior Assistance Program - Illinois became the first state in the nation to launch a
Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program for returning Illinois Veterans.
The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP
(4927), which is staffed by health professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with the symptoms
associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
screening to all interested Illinois veterans, especially those returning from Operation Enduring
Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Warrior Assistance Program also makes
TBI screenings mandatory for all returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard. More
information is available at www.illinoiswarrior.com.
. Veterans Care - Veterans Care provides affordable, comprehensive health care to Illinois Veterans
who are uninsured or do not qualify for coverage through the federal Veterans Administration.
Under the program, Veterans will pay an affordable monthly premium of $40 or $70 and receive
medical, limited dental and vision coverage. Prescription drugs and doctors office visits would
require a minimal co-payment, ranging from $6 to $15. More information is available at
http://www.illinoisveteranscare.com/.
. Veterans' Jobs Tax Credit - Employers can earn an income tax credit of up to $600 dollars
annually for every qualified Veteran hired after January 1, 2007. The credit is available for Veterans
who were members of the Armed Forces, the Armed Force reserves, or the Illinois National Guard
on active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
. Veteran's Cash - Launched in February of 2006, Veteran's Cash is the state's first scratch-off
lottery ticket where 100 percent of the net proceeds go to support Illinois Veterans through grants
that fund additional services or research relating to PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs,
long term care and disability benefits. The newest version of the Veteran's Cash lottery ticket is
called Coin Craze. IDVA encourage Illinois residents to purchase the ticket and at the same time
encourages organizations to apply for the Veteran's Cash grants if they could provide any of these
services to Veterans in Illinois.
. Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Camping Permits for disabled Veterans - The annual free
hunting and fishing licenses for disabled Veterans are now a one-time, permanent issue. The state
also offers free camping permits for disabled Veterans who meet certain criteria.
Veterans will also find out about a new federal program. The United States Department of Veterans
Affairs has started accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The VA will issue Certificates of
Eligibility for eligible applicants, and begin making payments August 1, 2009, the first day benefits
can be paid under this law. Veterans, service members, reservists, and National Guard members
with active duty service since September 11, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit. The Post 9/11 GI
Bill not only provides eligible individuals with college tuition assistance, but for many participants it
also provides a housing allowance, a stipend for books and supplies, and the option of sharing
these benefits with family members. More information is available at www.GIBILL.VA.gov.
For a full list of Veteran Service Offices, and other programs for veterans, log on to the IDVA
website at http://veterans.illinois.gov.
Dan Grant says veterans will have added assistance in getting information about both state and
federal benefits. Director Grant's comments are in reference to the state department of veterans
affairs opening Veteran Service Offices at Lincoln Land College in Springfield, Parkland Community
College in Champaign and Western Illinois University in Macomb.
"The Veteran Service Offices are great resources for our Veterans to receive one-on-one
assistance and to learn about what state and federal benefits are available to them. We want to
make sure our service men and women know about the benefits that they are entitled to when they
return home to Illinois," IDVA Director Dan Grant said.
Beginning May 6th, Veterans may receive assistance from representatives of the state's 74 Veteran
Services Officers (VSOs) on the first and third Wednesday each month from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00
p.m. at:
Lincoln Land College
Menard Hall R, 113
5250 Shepherd Road
Springfield
217/786-4508 or 2224
Parkland Community College
Administration Bldg, Room 150
2400 W. Bradley Avenue
Champaign
217/353-2309
Western Illinois University
University Union - 1st Floor
Violet Room
Macomb
309/298-1959
The VSOs offer help to Veterans applying for and receiving compensation and other benefits from
the federal Veterans' Administration. Additionally VSOs inform Veterans of available state
resources. Their primary job responsibility is assisting in applying for the millions of dollars in federal
money that goes unclaimed each year by the 23.8 million Veterans across the country, and serve
as a liaison between the state and the federal VA.
Veteran Service Offices serve as sign-up locations and informational hubs for the state's programs
and benefits, including the following:
. Illinois Warrior Assistance Program - Illinois became the first state in the nation to launch a
Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program for returning Illinois Veterans.
The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP
(4927), which is staffed by health professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with the symptoms
associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
screening to all interested Illinois veterans, especially those returning from Operation Enduring
Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Warrior Assistance Program also makes
TBI screenings mandatory for all returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard. More
information is available at www.illinoiswarrior.com.
. Veterans Care - Veterans Care provides affordable, comprehensive health care to Illinois Veterans
who are uninsured or do not qualify for coverage through the federal Veterans Administration.
Under the program, Veterans will pay an affordable monthly premium of $40 or $70 and receive
medical, limited dental and vision coverage. Prescription drugs and doctors office visits would
require a minimal co-payment, ranging from $6 to $15. More information is available at
http://www.illinoisveteranscare.com/.
. Veterans' Jobs Tax Credit - Employers can earn an income tax credit of up to $600 dollars
annually for every qualified Veteran hired after January 1, 2007. The credit is available for Veterans
who were members of the Armed Forces, the Armed Force reserves, or the Illinois National Guard
on active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
. Veteran's Cash - Launched in February of 2006, Veteran's Cash is the state's first scratch-off
lottery ticket where 100 percent of the net proceeds go to support Illinois Veterans through grants
that fund additional services or research relating to PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs,
long term care and disability benefits. The newest version of the Veteran's Cash lottery ticket is
called Coin Craze. IDVA encourage Illinois residents to purchase the ticket and at the same time
encourages organizations to apply for the Veteran's Cash grants if they could provide any of these
services to Veterans in Illinois.
. Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Camping Permits for disabled Veterans - The annual free
hunting and fishing licenses for disabled Veterans are now a one-time, permanent issue. The state
also offers free camping permits for disabled Veterans who meet certain criteria.
Veterans will also find out about a new federal program. The United States Department of Veterans
Affairs has started accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The VA will issue Certificates of
Eligibility for eligible applicants, and begin making payments August 1, 2009, the first day benefits
can be paid under this law. Veterans, service members, reservists, and National Guard members
with active duty service since September 11, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit. The Post 9/11 GI
Bill not only provides eligible individuals with college tuition assistance, but for many participants it
also provides a housing allowance, a stipend for books and supplies, and the option of sharing
these benefits with family members. More information is available at www.GIBILL.VA.gov.
For a full list of Veteran Service Offices, and other programs for veterans, log on to the IDVA
website at http://veterans.illinois.gov.
Mattoon VA Clinic
501 Lakeland Blvd.
Mattoon, Il 61938
M-F 8 am to 4 pm
217-258-3370 clinic
1-800-320-8387 toll free
217-258-3379 fax
501 Lakeland Blvd.
Mattoon, Il 61938
M-F 8 am to 4 pm
217-258-3370 clinic
1-800-320-8387 toll free
217-258-3379 fax
NEEDED: VOLUNTEER
DRIVERS FOR A VAN TO
TRANSPORT VETERANS
FROM THE VA CLINIC IN
MATTOON TO DANVILLE ON
MONDAYS.
IF YOU CAN HELP, CONTACT
THE CLINIC OR THE LEGION
SERVICE OFFICER.
DRIVERS FOR A VAN TO
TRANSPORT VETERANS
FROM THE VA CLINIC IN
MATTOON TO DANVILLE ON
MONDAYS.
IF YOU CAN HELP, CONTACT
THE CLINIC OR THE LEGION
SERVICE OFFICER.
| AGENT ORANGE UPDATE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VIETNAM VETERANS |