Lake County Gazette

A law championed by Sen. Craig Wilcox that was signed by the governor this month will benefit veterans facing homelessness, according to a July 2 news release from the senator’s office. Senate Bill 2005 requires that housing preferences be granted to homeless veterans.

“Seven hundred homeless veterans is 700 too many, and DHS says that number is likely an undercount due to a variety of factors related to identifying and documenting these individuals,” said Wilcox in his press release.

“It is common practice in Illinois to provide special benefits to specific classifications of Illinoisans, and veterans deserve the same type of assistance. I was pleased when this bill passed in the Senate and House with unanimous support. This law will go far in reversing a disturbing trend that affects our veteran heroes," said Wilcox.

Senate Bill 2005, now known as Public Act 103-0247, makes changes to the Housing Authorities Act to require that policies to give housing preferences to homeless veterans are developed and implemented. These new policies must work alongside other preferences from a housing authority that a veteran may also qualify for. It was sponsored by Wilcox and introduced in the Senate on Feb. 9. It arrived in the House on March 30, and was sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 8. The governor signed the bill on June 30 and it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

This new law isn’t the only step that the state has taken to address the issue of veteran homelessness. In 2007, the Prince Home at Manteno opened to offer homeless veterans diagnosed with a clinical disorder or physical disability a place to call home. There, up to 15 veterans have a private room to call their own, but there are shared spaces, like a day room, communal kitchen, and more. Each resident must apply to live there and is expected to participate in the programs and activities. Those programs include volunteering, employment and compliance with treatment plans. 

Wilcox was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018. A Republican, his legislative experience includes serving on the Agriculture Committee and Appropriations Committee. Wilcox resides in McHenry.