Illinois Veterans' Advisory Council

The Illinois Veterans' Advisory Council (IVAC) under 20 ILCS 2805/15 was established by Public Act 93-0779 on July 21, 2004. The IVAC shall meet quarterly or at the call of the chairman or the Director of Veterans Affairs or the Governor.  The Council is empowered to:

• Advise IDVA with respect to the fulfillment of its statutory duties.
• Review and study the issues and concerns that are most significant to Illinois veterans and advise the Department on those issues and concerns
• Receive a report from the IDVA Director or the Director's designee at each meeting with respect to the general activities of the Department.

Report to the Governor and the General Assembly annually describing the issues addressed and the actions taken by the council during the year as well as any recommendations for future action. 

Members                                                        Appointed By:

Senator Mike Porfirio                                      President of the Senate

Senator Craig Wilcox                                      Minority Leader of the Senate

Representative Lance Yednock                       Speaker of the House

Representative Dan Swanson                         Minority Leader of the House

Bill Wolff                                                         IDVA Director Appointee

Robert Norman                                              IDVA Director Appointee

Kevin Wathen                                                 IDVA Director Appointee

Frank Gutierrez                                               IDVA Director Appointee

Vince Long                                                     IDVA Director Appointee

Shannon Yount                                              Office of the Attorney General

Jorge Bermudez                                            Illinois Department of                                                                                      Employment Securities

Al Reynolds                                                   Disabled Veterans of America

Bruce Blackmer                                             Marine Corps League

Michael P. Peck                                             American Legion

Joseph Bartley                                               AMVETS

Peggy Arick                                                   Blue Star Mothers of America

Tim Kennedy                                                 Catholic War Veterans

Dr. Jerry Field                                                Jewish War Veterans

Lee Lopez                                                      Military Order of the Purple                                                                         Heart

Ray Dieter                                                     Reserve Organizations of                                                                                America

Christa Hammers                                         Illinois Association of Veterams                                                                       Assistance Comissions               

John “Dutch” DeGroot                                 Veterans of Foreign War

Roy Dolgos                                                  Vietnam Veterans of American

Robert “Bob” Tyler                                       Military Officers Association of                                                                       America

Alternates:

Greg Padovani                                            American Legion Alternate

Art Dutkovic                                               Military Order of the World Wars Alternate

Jay Davis                                                    Veterans of Foreign Wars Alternate

Hugh Shown                                             Reserve Organizations of America Alternate

George Mulvaney                                     Marine Corps League

Elizabeth Roxworthy                                 Department of Military Affairs

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     To view prior and current IVAC meeting agendas and minutes please visit IVAC Agenda and Minutes Information.