PEORIA–(ENEWSPF)–August 14, 2013.  U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and U.S. Representative Aaron Schock today hosted the Central Illinois Veterans Employment and Resources Fair at Bradley University in Peoria to give veterans the opportunity to meet with private sector and government employers, participate in workshops and speak with Veterans Affairs (VA)[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 14, 2013.  Today, the Department of Defense announced its plan to extend benefits to same-sex spouses of uniformed service members and Department of Defense civilian employees. After a review of the department’s benefit policies following the Supreme Court’s ruling that Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2013. The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Aug. 11, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with indirect fire. The soldiers were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th[Read More…]

Illinois has 4th worst wait time in nation, average now more than 500 days; One Illinois resident waited 790 days WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2013.  U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s remarks regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims backlog:[Read More…]

Award to be Presented at Illinois State Fair Chicago–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2013.  The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will recognize Linda Kay Crites, Logistics Specialist 1st Class, U.S. Navy (Retired), a prominent veteran leader in the Springfield area, for her years of service to her community, county and to fellow veterans[Read More…]

More than 250 Institutions of Higher Education Embracing the Administration’s “8 Keys to Success” Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2013.  As part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing effort to foster postsecondary educational opportunities and dramatically improve employment outcomes for returning service members, the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Veterans[Read More…]

New Laws Extend Tuition Waivers and Supplement Use of GI Bill Benefits SILVIS–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn visited Hero Street in Silvis on Saturday to sign two new laws that improve educational opportunities for Illinois veterans. The laws extend National Guard tuition waivers and allow students using their GI[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—August 10, 2013. In response to President Obama’s Executive Order, the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) highlighted today the establishment of two joint research consortia, at a combined investment of $107 million to research the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 9, 2013.  Prior to the formal “2+2” sessions, Secretary Hagel and Russian Minister of Defense Shoygu held their first meeting together as defense counterparts. Secretary Hagel began by noting it is the responsibility of major powers to find a way forward on the key issues facing our nations[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 9, 2013.  The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a service member, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Marine Corps Pfc. Jonathan R. Posey Jr., 20, of[Read More…]