Danville, Ill. (ECWd) –
During the December 2025 meeting of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Vermilion County (video here), it was clear the board of commissioners were unfamiliar with conducting meetings in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, and of the powers and duties of the board vs the powers and duties of the Superintendent, and of the Military Veterans Assistance Act. This can be remedied quickly if they so choose.
One point of contention during the meeting was the Superintendent’s hiring of an attorney without obtaining board approval, and the board’s discussion related to approving payment of the legal invoices, which is technically not a power the board possesses, see Section 9(h) of the Military Veterans Assistance Act:
(h) No warrant authorized under this Act may be issued for the payment of money without the presentation of an itemized statement or claim, approved by the superintendent of the Commission and reported to the full Commission membership.
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It is clear, under the Act, that the Superintendent approves the invoice (warrant), reports it to the commission membership, then pays the invoice. There is no requirement nor authorization for the board to vote on the payment. Section 9(a)(5) is subordinate the Section 9(h) when it comes to payment of invoices or warrants because 9(h) is specific to payments where 9(a)(5) is general in nature.
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Another point of contention was the removal of the Superintendent. We understand there were discussions held in closed session and a later vote in open session to terminate her employment. However, the termination may have been improper and did not comply with state laws in the following ways:
1. Prior to removing a Superintendent, there must be a written request from at least three different Veteran Services Organizations asking for the removal, and there must be a vote by the majority of the full commission membership approving the removal. See Section 9(e) of the Veterans Assistance Act:
(e) A superintendent may be removed from office if, after delegates from no less than 3 different veteran service organizations file a written request calling for the superintendent’s removal, there is a vote from a majority of the full Commission membership in favor of such removal.
2. Prior to removing a Superintendent, the removal must be placed on a meeting agenda and voted on in public. See
Open Meetings Act. Any item for action of a board, must be placed on the agenda at least 48 hours prior to a meeting so that the public knows what the board will vote on. Nothing related to the employment or termination of the Superintendent was placed on the Dec 2025 meeting agenda (
here).
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It is our understanding that this will be corrected during the January 8, 2026, VAC meeting where there should be at least three written requests and a public vote for the agenda item that is listed on the agenda for her termination.
3 Responses
I can see your point, Terry Moore (being seventy-seven myself). In days gone by, things may have been done in a simpler, more self-accountable way. (To quote Mick Jagger, “Things are different today.”) I myself have no use for the VAC. I feel they are incompetent, but that is just personal opinion. Taking your frustration out on the authors here is ranting against the legalism (that they are NOT responsible for) and subsequently, will do nothing to make it go away or be any less condescending.
I believe Mr Kraft and Mr. Allen are honestly trying their best to bring ALL people abreast of the legalism that has taken place over the years and thus keep everyone from running afoul of the laws. An ad hominem attack about feeling like a hero is certainly uncalled for. Next time, perhaps try to calm yourself before you accuse and go off on others. We are all on the same team.
Seriously I am sick of the condensending people who can pick the NEW Board apart.
Unfortunately the commission has to be made up of VETERANS. All the organizations are made up of older vets.
I’m 73. The newest and brightest member was elected as Chairman.
As soon as that took place formalities were brought up again which delayed that appointment.
When these older vets get tired of the constant harassment due to formalities you won’t have a commision. You won’t have worry about it and our vets will suffer due to your constant formalities.
I know your stating law, I know you think your pretty damn intelligent and have to show other people are wrong. If your really concerned you would bring this information to us independently yet that also is against the law to have an informal group discussion of anything to do with the VAC. The open meetings act may be something needed but it makes it hard to do things. The Superintendent that has used this system for six years would still be cheating the veterans of a valuable resource if we followed each and every thing you have brought forward. You my friend are not helping anyone but yourself. Self serving isn’t part of our mission.
You may say your just trying to help us but I must say you have a poor way of showing it.
The men and women who have to sit on this board are common folks with working backgrounds. They do it for free and most are 65 or older. They are not interested in learning a law degree.
Your from Edgar County without a VAC
Why don’t you stay focused on helping the vets in your jurisdiction instead being so condensenting on our attempt to do better by our vets in Vermilion County.
You brought forth information which cost us a very good and devoted Board Member.
Your help will probably cost us a lot more in the future.
I know your reply everyone knows it
It the law.
Thank you for the information.
The vets in need doesn’t care about the open meetings act.
They don’t care who sits on the board .
They don’t care if you follow the law in terminating someone who isn’t performing their job correctly getting them somethibg to eat or thier benefits just take care of business which I try to do to the best of my ability.
I was told not to even respond to this post.
Unfortunately I can’t stop myself.
I would as soon die before I would listen to this BS that only makes you feel like a hero. In fact it’s the opposite of which is true.
God Bless and I wish you a Happy and a Merry Christmas.
Hopefully you don’t say thats against the law also.
Thanks for the comment. Hopefully, you will read the Military Veterans Assistance Act, the Public Aid Code, and the Open Meetings Act, and them comply with them. If it can’t be done right, maybe it’s not worth doing? I attempted to contact at least one board member, who was given my phone number, then decided not to call me. So be it. I will be at the next meeting.