Issue Position: Veterans' Rights

Issue Position

Honoring Our Veterans

What's Wrong

After serving on the front lines to protect America, our veterans are treated as second-class citizens when they return home. A third of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, but only half of soldiers suffering from PTSD or major depression have seen a physician or mental health provider. One-third of homeless Americans are veterans, and more than 75 percent of veterans describe "an inability to effectively translate their military skills to civilian terms," while 61 percent of employers report they don't have "a complete understanding of the qualifications ex-service members offer."
Alexi's Plan To Make It Right

Alexi believes that it is our responsibility to ensure that our troops have the best resources while in active duty and the best support and care when they return home. That is why he was a leader on veterans issues as the Illinois State Treasurer, and why he will continue to lead as a U.S. Senator.

Ensure our returning troops and their families have access to jobs and capital

* Service members and reservists too often have trouble finding a job in this tough economy. Alexi supports efforts to strengthen penalties on employers who commit job discrimination against returning veterans.
* Alexi will work to expand the VA loan programs so that veterans have the opportunity to open a small business or buy a home. As State Treasurer, he expanded Illinois' Welcome Home Loan Program, which gives low interest loans to members of the Illinois National Guard and U.S. Military Reserves after their deployment ends.
* To help veterans have access an affordable college education, Alexi would push for the proper implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which will allow every eligible veteran, serviceman and woman, Reservist and National Guard member to attend a public college or university for free for four years. Alexi used his position as State Treasurer to launch the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund to benefit the children of fallen Illinois service members. The fund helps children of those who have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom attend any college or university anywhere in the U.S. or select institutions abroad.

Provide improved health care

* Alexi will fight to fully fund the VA hospital system so that all service members have access to quality health care.
* The realities of modern warfare require advanced services and specialized care. Alexi will work with the VA to make sure it has the resources it needs to provide state of the art treatment for our returning service men and women.
* To ensure that all VA claims decisions are consistent and efficient, Alexi supports the transitioning the benefit claims process from a paper to an electronic system and will work with the VA to improve the training and accountability of VA claims workers.

Improve mental health treatment

* Alexi will work to make sure that veterans have improved mental health care at every stage of military service, from providing improved pre-deployment screenings to working with the VA to provide more support for families and enhanced mental health treatment upon return home.
* One in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans has experienced a traumatic brain injury, yet only 46 percent were screened for a concussion. Alexi will push for better screening for brain injuries, and will work with the VA to provide better resources for service members suffering cognitive injuries to make sure they are provided the ongoing care they deserve.
* Physical and mental trauma not only affects the returning soldier, but also his or her family. Alexi supports a stronger emphasis on counseling for vets and their families through Vet Centers, and would support their expansion.

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