VFW Department of Illinois

Legislative Committee

The VFW Department of Illinois has established a Legislative Committee.

The mission of the committee is “to educate, build relationships, and assist our lawmakers in writing legislation.”.

The Legislative Committee will work with District Legislative Chairs to help posts educate their members and the public on veteran’s issues. Each post will in turn ask members and the public to reach out to their legislators to inform them of key veterans issues.

• The Legislative Committee will identify timely Illinois Senate and House bills coming before committee hearings.

• The Committee will use email and social media legislative alerts to call up the District Legislative Chairs and Posts regarding a specific numbered bill..

• Posts will contact members and ask them to contact friends and family to support or oppose the bill by:

  • Emailing and/or calling individual legislators.

  • Posting on social media.

  • Creating and submitting Witness Slips. A Witness Slip is a person or group's position on a particular bill. A Witness Slip can be filed for any bill scheduled for a hearing in the Illinois Senate or House Committee, during the week prior to the hearing taking place. They must be submitted no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled hearing.

Department Resources have been provided to explain and assist with Illinois VFW legislative action:

• Illinois Action Corps - Explains how to contact legislators and create and submit Witness Slips.

• Legislative News - Description, status and links to key bills and legislation as well as updates on issues.

• Legislative Director’s Page - News and info from Mike Peck - Department Legislative Chairman

• Legislative Help - Video on how to fill out Witness Slips

• Legislative Committee Flyer

• Illinois Action Corps Flyer

Evanston Post 7186 Judge Advocate - Contact - info@vfw7186.org