Franklin County Board
Chairman Neil Hargis
901 Public Square
Benton, IL 62812
4DEC25
Veterans
Assistance Commission of Franklin County
Fiscal
Year 2025 County Board Report (December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025)
Overview and Mission
The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC)
of Franklin County continues its commitment to advocate for and support local
Veterans and their families. With a single full-time Accredited Veteran Service
Officer (who also serves as Superintendent), the VAC has made significant
strides during FY2025 in benefit delivery, financial assistance, and outreach.
In total, the Veterans Assistance
Commission of Franklin County helped secure $811,607.60 in federal benefits for
Veterans and their families across Southern Illinois. Of this, $486,362.08 was
secured directly for Franklin County Veterans.
Direct
Financial Assistance Provided (Franklin County)
Total Financial
Assistance Provided: $67,884.14
Breakdown by Municipality:
• Benton: $11,968.33
• Buckner: $3,000.00
• Christopher: $17,722.25
• Logan: $429.30
• Mulkeytown: $1,000.00
• Royalton: $195.00
• Sesser: $3,502.22
• West Frankfort: $23,068.70
• Zeigler: $6,998.34
Federal
Benefits Secured (Franklin County)
Total: $486,362.08
• Benton: $268,832.39
• Buckner: $3,469.50
• Christopher: $5,408.21
• Ewing: $685.76
• Mulkeytown: $1,226.80
• Sesser: $56,388.31
• Thompsonville: $21,367.20
• Valier: $1,755.10
• West Frankfort: $58,902.09
• Zeigler: $68,326.72
VACFC
FY2025 Metrics Summary
• Total Interactions: 1,014
• Total Clients Served: 671
• Claims Assistance: 67 clients / 74 interactions
• General Assistance: 567 clients / 877 interactions
• Financial Aid: 46 clients / 62 interactions
• Burial Assistance: 1 client
Fiscal
Snapshot
• FY2025 Approved Budget: $126,000
• FY2025 Funds Used: $121,156.37 (includes final November payroll)
• Financial Assistance Budgeted: $62,000 – Actual Disbursed: $67,884.14
• FY2024 Comparison:
- Total Spent: $69,323.62
- Total Federal Benefits Secured:
$89,014.81
- Financial Assistance Provided:
$18,014.25
Notable
Milestones and Initiatives
• 28 outreach events and meetings,
including:
- Rend Lake Water Festival (co-hosted
Veterans Resource Fair)
- Statewide and regional VAC
conferences
- VA/IDVA Veteran stakeholder
meetings and congressional roundtables
• Multiple county collaborations – assisted other counties in building their
VACs.
• Provided direct congressional liaison services to assist Veterans in
resolving VA disputes.
Looking
Forward to FY2026
1. Maintain or increase direct financial
assistance to Veterans.
2. Expand outreach with part-time personnel to manage community engagement and
claim volume.
3. Sustain high return on investment by maximizing benefits secured for local
Veterans.
4. Collaborate with County Board members to share VACFC benefits by locality.
Conclusion and Acknowledgments
In its second year of operation, the Veterans
Assistance Commission of Franklin County has demonstrated measurable impact in
improving the lives of our local Veterans and their families. Through diligent
advocacy, targeted outreach, and effective stewardship of resources, the
Commission has secured substantial federal benefits and delivered meaningful
financial assistance across Franklin County and Southern Illinois. With a clear
mission, strategic objectives, and growing regional coordination, the VAC is well-positioned
to build on this momentum into Fiscal Year 2026.
The Veterans Assistance Commission of Franklin
County extends its sincere gratitude to both the Franklin County Board and the
VACFC Board of Directors for their unwavering support. Your commitment to
creating and upholding a Veteran-protected environment not only empowers our
daily operations but ensures the continuity of critical protections for the
Superintendent and those we serve. Your leadership makes our mission possible.
Respectfully,
Liam Mungovan
Superintendent
Veterans Assistance Commission of Franklin County
901 Public Square
Benton, IL 62812
Email: liam.mungovan@franklincountyil.gov
Phone: (618) 618-9868
VA VSO Accreditation # 55588
Franklin County Board
Chairman Neil Hargis
901 Public Square
Benton, IL 62812
4DEC25
Veterans
Assistance Commission of Franklin County
Fiscal
Year 2025 County Board Report (December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025)
Overview and Mission
The Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC)
of Franklin County continues its commitment to advocate for and support local
Veterans and their families. With a single full-time Accredited Veteran Service
Officer (who also serves as Superintendent), the VAC has made significant
strides during FY2025 in benefit delivery, financial assistance, and outreach.
In total, the Veterans Assistance
Commission of Franklin County helped secure $811,607.60 in federal benefits for
Veterans and their families across Southern Illinois. Of this, $486,362.08 was
secured directly for Franklin County Veterans.
Direct
Financial Assistance Provided (Franklin County)
Total Financial
Assistance Provided: $67,884.14
Breakdown by Municipality:
• Benton: $11,968.33
• Buckner: $3,000.00
• Christopher: $17,722.25
• Logan: $429.30
• Mulkeytown: $1,000.00
• Royalton: $195.00
• Sesser: $3,502.22
• West Frankfort: $23,068.70
• Zeigler: $6,998.34
Federal
Benefits Secured (Franklin County)
Total: $486,362.08
• Benton: $268,832.39
• Buckner: $3,469.50
• Christopher: $5,408.21
• Ewing: $685.76
• Mulkeytown: $1,226.80
• Sesser: $56,388.31
• Thompsonville: $21,367.20
• Valier: $1,755.10
• West Frankfort: $58,902.09
• Zeigler: $68,326.72
VACFC
FY2025 Metrics Summary
• Total Interactions: 1,014
• Total Clients Served: 671
• Claims Assistance: 67 clients / 74 interactions
• General Assistance: 567 clients / 877 interactions
• Financial Aid: 46 clients / 62 interactions
• Burial Assistance: 1 client
Fiscal
Snapshot
• FY2025 Approved Budget: $126,000
• FY2025 Funds Used: $121,156.37 (includes final November payroll)
• Financial Assistance Budgeted: $62,000 – Actual Disbursed: $67,884.14
• FY2024 Comparison:
- Total Spent: $69,323.62
- Total Federal Benefits Secured:
$89,014.81
- Financial Assistance Provided:
$18,014.25
Notable
Milestones and Initiatives
• 28 outreach events and meetings,
including:
- Rend Lake Water Festival (co-hosted
Veterans Resource Fair)
- Statewide and regional VAC
conferences
- VA/IDVA Veteran stakeholder
meetings and congressional roundtables
• Multiple county collaborations – assisted other counties in building their
VACs.
• Provided direct congressional liaison services to assist Veterans in
resolving VA disputes.
Looking
Forward to FY2026
1. Maintain or increase direct financial
assistance to Veterans.
2. Expand outreach with part-time personnel to manage community engagement and
claim volume.
3. Sustain high return on investment by maximizing benefits secured for local
Veterans.
4. Collaborate with County Board members to share VACFC benefits by locality.
Conclusion and Acknowledgments
In its second year of operation, the Veterans
Assistance Commission of Franklin County has demonstrated measurable impact in
improving the lives of our local Veterans and their families. Through diligent
advocacy, targeted outreach, and effective stewardship of resources, the
Commission has secured substantial federal benefits and delivered meaningful
financial assistance across Franklin County and Southern Illinois. With a clear
mission, strategic objectives, and growing regional coordination, the VAC is well-positioned
to build on this momentum into Fiscal Year 2026.
The Veterans Assistance Commission of Franklin
County extends its sincere gratitude to both the Franklin County Board and the
VACFC Board of Directors for their unwavering support. Your commitment to
creating and upholding a Veteran-protected environment not only empowers our
daily operations but ensures the continuity of critical protections for the
Superintendent and those we serve. Your leadership makes our mission possible.
Respectfully,
Liam Mungovan
Superintendent
Veterans Assistance Commission of Franklin County
901 Public Square
Benton, IL 62812
Email: liam.mungovan@franklincountyil.gov
Phone: (618) 618-9868
VA VSO Accreditation # 55588