Hope Manor II Apartments will Connect Residents with Services Needed to Live Independently

CHICAGO – Governor Quinn today was joined by the Volunteers of America of Illinois to break ground on the Hope Manor II Apartments – one of the first large-scale housing developments in the nation designed to address the needs of Veterans with families at risk of homelessness. This announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to make Illinois the most Veterans-friendly state in the nation and ensure servicemembers have the support they need when they return home

“We have a duty to provide Illinois Veterans with the support they deserve after serving our country,” Governor Quinn said. “Veterans often return to a unique set of challenges during the transition to civilian life, and this new community will address their family needs during this time. We must always take care of our Veterans on the home front, just as they have taken care of us.”

Under Governor Quinn’s leadership, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) provided an $800,000 loan to finance the development located at 60th and Halsted streets in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. The campus-style community will feature a mix of single-family town homes and apartments built around a park, all located on a three-acre site donated by the city of Chicago.

Developed by the Volunteers of America, Hope Manor II Apartments also received a $190,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant, as well as a $1.9 million federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program loan and a $3 million tax-increment financing grant from the city of Chicago. Alderman JoAnn Thomson of the 16th Ward donated the property to build Hope Manor II.

“We are so excited to once again partner with IHDA to bring an important resource to our nation’s Veterans,” Volunteers of America of Illinois President & CEO Nancy Hughes Moyer said. “Hope Manor II will serve an increasingly vulnerable population of Veterans – younger Veterans with families, many of whom are women with young children. These brave young men and women have sacrificed a great deal to serve our country and they deserve a safe and affordable place to call home when they return. Hope Manor II will provide our Veterans with the stability and support they need to successfully reintegrate back into civilian life.”

The new community will provide 73 units of permanent supportive housing in studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments. Residents will have access to employment readiness classes, job training and coaching, computer training, a business resource center, a health and wellness center, peer support groups, recovery groups, individual and family counseling, mental health screening, case management support, and access to the Volunteers of America of Illinois’ True North Project which aids Veterans who are struggling, in crisis or at risk of serious instability in their lives.

The development is the second phase of the Volunteers of America’s Hope Manor Project. IHDA was proud to provide federal stimulus funds and federal tax credit financing for Hope Manor Apartments, which celebrated its grand opening in May 2012 in East Garfield Park. Hope Manor provides housing and services to single Veterans. A community to serve families is the appropriate next step.

An estimated 1,147 Veterans experienced homelessness on a given night in Illinois in 2012, or 15 percent of all Veterans in the general population, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Women Veterans are the fastest growing demographic in the Veteran community in Illinois and many face significant obstacles upon their return to civilian life. They are often younger than their male colleagues, have different healthcare needs, face the highest rate of unemployment in the Veteran population, and access Veteran services and resources less often.

Under Governor Quinn’s leadership, Illinois has responded to the need for affordable housing and supportive services. Approximately 1,800 community-based supportive housing units have been financed across Illinois since 2009. IHDA financed 466 units of safe, affordable housing and 289 supportive housing units specifically targeted to Veterans in that same timeframe.

The first phase of construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013, with a final completion date of June 2014. To qualify, residents must be at or below 60 percent of the area median income, or $35,340 for a two-person household. All 73 units will be supported by project-based vouchers from the Chicago Housing Authority.

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April 27 Ceremony to Recognize Soldiers in Chicago Area

CHICAGO, IL (04/22/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 15 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized April 27 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the 244th Army Liaison Team (ALT) will be at 11 a.m. at the Illinois Army National Guard's armory at 1551 North Kedzie in Chicago.

The Soldiers were mobilized in March 2012 and briefly trained at Camp Shelby, Miss., before deploying to Afghanistan. They returned home Jan. 18.

The 244th ALT deployed two different teams that worked at border coordination centers with Afghan and Pakistani counterparts to decrease cross-border incidents.

The 244th encountered nearly 800 cross-border incidents with no casualties. There were multiple occasions where both teams resolved situations before they became international incidents. They also assisted the Afghan National Security Force and Pakistani military to resolve situations and compromise on issues.

The two teams also conducted Border Flag meetings between Afghan and Pakistani counterparts. The Border Flag meetings are discussions between the two countries about border issues.

There are only 11 units encompassing approximately 300 Soldiers with similar missions across the Army National Guard, Army Reserves and active duty forces.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered

commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

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RANTOUL, IL (04/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Illinois National Guard (ILNG) Soldiers and Airmen searched a collapsed building, extracted victims and decontaminated mass casualties during the three-day Prairie North 2013 exercise in Rantoul, April 11 to 13.

The ILNG Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and High Explosive Response Force Package (CERFP) team along with 15 local and state agencies conducted a full-scale exercise to better communicate and enhance their training for a potential manmade or natural disaster.

"There was a lot of hands-on training," said Pvt. Kyle Eldridge of St. Louis, a medic with the 445th Chemical Company out of Shiloh, Ill.

During the exercise, Eldridge cleaned and decontaminated the simulated casualties after they were extracted from the collapsed building.

"(The training) could potentially save a lot of lives," said Eldridge.

Sgt. 1st Class Mike Markham, a noncommissioned officer in charge for CERFP with Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield, Ill., said he was there to support the Soldiers and Airmen when they had questions during the training scenario and to make sure everyone was safe.

Markham of Chatham said he watched over the search and rescue teams as they climbed through the demolished building looking for casualties. He said the scenario included casualties with a range of issues from simulated arm and leg injuries to fatalities.

"The training is very realistic," said Markham. "I don't think we could get a better training area. This is what they would call a dynamic pile. If you mess up you may pay for it."

With approximately 200 Soldiers and Airmen, the ILNG CERFP team helps ensure the Governor and Adjutant General have the means to mitigate risks associated with search and extraction, mass decontamination, and medical triage and stabilization to the casualties.

Capt. Scotty A. Duranceau, a clinical nurse with the 126th Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Ill., said his training focused on mass casualty triage treatment. He said his group assessed all patients before sending them on to the next station for further help.

"We stage for all events so we are ready in case a real situation occurs," said Duranceau of St. Louis. "I believe it keeps us honed in on our skills, especially those life support skills."

Duranceau said Illinois is properly preparing for a disaster by conducting these mock training exercises. He said the ILNG is ready to fill any void the civilian sector may need in the event of an emergency.

"It's a great opportunity for us to put that footwork into the local population so they can see we are there and can use us," said Duranceau.

It shows Illinois citizens there is one line of force and they are all there to accomplish the same goal, "get the people the care they need and to get them better," he said.

The CERFP used this exercise as the final preparation for an upcoming external evaluation.

Voluntary Tax Check-Off has Helped Program Support More Than 27,000 Military Families with Nearly $15 Million; Served as a Model for Other States

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today marked the 10-year anniversary of the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (IMFRF) by encouraging everyone in Illinois to take advantage of the voluntary tax check-off that helps military families who are struggling financially during deployment. The initiative is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to make Illinois the most Veterans-friendly state in the nation and ensure servicemembers have the support they need when they return home. Spearheaded in 2003 by then- Lieutenant Governor Quinn, the program has helped more than 27,000 Illinois military families with nearly $15 million in grants.

“Our servicemembers and their families sacrifice so much every day, and this easy tax check-off is a convenient way to help military families in need,” Governor Quinn said. “Please take minute when doing you taxes this year to check-off a few dollars on the state income tax form to help our heroes.”

As Lieutenant Governor, Governor Quinn spearheaded the initiative to create the IMFRF after several military spouses – such as Mary Beth Beiersdorf of Arlington Heights and Brenda Robinzine of Oak Park –contacted him in 2001 with the idea of setting up a mechanism to aid military families with such expenses as groceries, rent or utility bills. Quinn then led a grassroots effort which featured the passage of resolutions by cities and counties for two years, after which lawmakers voted to make IMFR the law of the land.

The IMFRF has served as a national model, with more than 35 other states having since passed similar ways for taxpayers to voluntarily help those who have borne the battle. Governor Quinn was joined at today’s event by Sgt. Jason Hoster - an Illinois Army National Guardsman from Chicago and recent IMFRF beneficiary. Sgt. Hoster shared his story of how the fund helped his family after two deployments in Afghanistan and Kuwait. Just before his latest deployment, his father began chemotherapy for lung cancer which had spread to his blood. Hoster received two $500 payments from the IMFRF which he used to help make his father more comfortable.

“Sergeant Hoster is a good example of an Illinois Guardsman who truly deserves and appreciates the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund,” Brigadier General Richard J. Hayes, Jr., Director of the Joint Staff of the Illinois National Guard said. “His story is just one of many within the Illinois National Guard the past 10 years. Thanks to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, our Soldiers and Airmen can have an easier transition home from deployment, as they can focus more on their families and less on finances.”

Donations to the fund can also be made by visiting OperationHomefront.org. Checks can be made payable to the Illinois Military Family Relief and mailed to: The Illinois Department of Military Affairs, ATTN: IMFRF, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399.

Governor Quinn today also noted that April is the “Month of the Military Child,” and recognized Illinois’ third year as a member of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), which helps children affected by frequent moves and deployments by aiding timely enrollment, transfer or records and student placement. He also recognized the Illinois National Guard Youth Program, which in 2012 directly supported 2,360 military children, including dozens of events helping children of deploying troops and assisting in the transition of military members back to their families after deployment. The Youth Program also assisted 68 Gold Star children of fallen servicemembers by distributing Grief Packets and providing access to professional counseling.

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