When our veterans raised their hands to serve, they made a promise to protect us without hesitation. We must keep our promises to them when they come home. Too many veterans struggle to access the healthcare and benefits they were guaranteed. Some drive hours just to reach a VA clinic, or face months of backlog for their claims. Others battle invisible wounds like PTSD or addiction without adequate support, and far too many veterans find themselves homeless after sacrificing so much for us. This is unacceptable and we can and must do better. As the grandson of a veteran (and with many friends currently in the service), I take the obligation to care for those who wore the uniform very personally. 

To honor our veterans, I will work to:

• Fully fund and strengthen the VA. A robust Veterans Affairs healthcare system is essential. I’ll fight for increased funding to hire more doctors, nurses, and specialists at VA hospitals and clinics, so that every veteran can get timely, quality care including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and specialized care for injuries like traumatic brain injuries. We must also invest in modernizing VA facilities and technology. No more months-long waits or outdated clinics; veterans should get excellent care when and where they need it. 

• Bring care closer to home for veterans. I will expand mobile VA clinics and telehealth programs so that veterans in rural IL-17 don’t have to drive hours to get basic services. If a veteran in a small town needs a checkup, mental health counseling, or a prescription refill, they should be able to do that via a secure video call or a visiting clinic right in their community. Let’s meet veterans where they are as transportation or distance should never be a barrier to care. 

• End veteran homelessness once and for all. It is heartbreaking and unacceptable that any veteran is sleeping on the streets. I’ll support significantly expanding the HUD-VASH voucher program to subsidize housing for homeless veterans and pair them with case managers. We also need more transitional housing specifically for veterans, coupled with wraparound services like job training, mental health care, and addiction recovery programs. I will push for a “Housing First” approach for veterans providing a roof over their heads first, then address the challenges that contributed to their homelessness. These men and women served us; we must serve them and never abandon them or give them false promises. 

• Ease the transition to civilian life. Many struggles veterans face can be prevented with better transition support. I’ll advocate for improved Transition Assistance Programs (TAP) that connect servicemembers to education benefits, civilian job opportunities, and VA healthcare before they leave the military. I also support tax credits for businesses that hire veterans and expanded grants for veterans who want to start their own businesses. Whether a vet wants to pursue college, a trade, or entrepreneurship, we should help clear the path to their next chapter. 

Our veterans were there for us, often in the harshest conditions on earth. Now we need to be there for them. I’ll make sure that “thank you for your service” isn’t just a platitude, but is backed up by policies that actually serve our veterans with the honor, urgency, and respect they have earned.