ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of Winnebago County offers two transportation services though one of them is suspended until further notice while they push for more funding.
Local medical transportation provided to veterans with one of their vehicles will be suspended until further notice. This is because the VAC is responsible for operation costs.
The commission’s superintendent says this is a service they wanted to expand, but now has to cut back because their budget is $500,000 less than expected. The superintendent says one alternative is getting a free bus pass from the Rockford mass transit district. Last month the commission put its $1.6 million budget proposal in front of the county board. They were only able to receive $1.1 million.
“I’m kind of discouraged that a lot of the members of the county board didn’t know what we were and what services we provided, that we too are units of government. So, it’s disheartening to sort of be where we’re at today,” says Jesus Pereira.
Between the local transportation vehicle and a second one which voluntarily takes vets to the Madison VA, the commission does anywhere between 25 and 35 transports a month.
Copyright 2024 WIFR. All rights reserved.
