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In a meeting of the Veteran’s Assistance Commission meeting Wednesday night there was strong debate about how tax money was being used or not used for the benefit of Vermilion County Veterans. The debate centered around giving VAC Director Marti Carroll a large increase in salary, while the actual expenditures for veterans in need was low. Over the past few years as noted by Lon Henderson and Jerry Hawker, County Board members speaking in public comments, less than half of tax levied money was spent on veterans and they questioned the high administrative costs versus actual dollars spent on Veterans. The consensus opinion of the veterans present as he Board of the Commission was that there was insufficient effort to advertise and reach out to veterans to engage them with needed services. The Commission went into closed session to discuss “personnel matters” and
“potential litigation.” Ultimately, the Board approved a revised budget which will be presented to the County Board. Director Marti Carroll has enlisted the aid of an attorney, Joshua Hermen, from a Peoria law firm that specializes in representing Veterans Assistance Commissions. The Commission pays $300.00 an hour for his services.