Politics

Some Veterans Express Worry About Services Amid Federal Staffing Cuts, Government Shutdown

As the city honors Veterans Day, some local veterans are fearful of potential impacts to services amid staffing reductions and other sweeping federal cuts across the government.

Veterans relying on food assistance are facing extra challenges as the government shutdown continues.

Some advocates are raising concerns about the future of veterans’ benefits as staffing cuts hit agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

There are more than half a million veterans in Illinois, VA data shows.

In July, the VA announced it would cut nearly 30,000 workers by the end of the fiscal year through federal hiring freezes, normal attrition and deferred resignations. VA Secretary Doug Collins has said the reductions wouldn’t impact veterans’ services.

Disability pay and other VA benefits weren’t impacted by the government shutdown, but no new disability claims can be filed. Veterans relying on health care and other services are also in limbo.

Nick Podjasek, a specialist at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, said the staffing cuts and potential of program cuts at the VA alongside overall federal cuts and the ongoing government shutdown has veterans worried about the impact on the quality of care they receive.

“I’ve had veterans coming and asking if they were going to be homeless again, if their housing benefits were going to be pulled, or if they’re going to lose Medicare or Medicaid,” Podjasek said. “Even if they’re getting their disability payments, it’s not like people are unaffected.”

VA workers are also working without union protections after the Trump administration cut collective bargaining rights in August. Podjasek, an Air Force veteran, said that without contracts, VA workers are facing more strain amid cuts to staffing, training and funding.

These pressures weren’t ignored at local gatherings commemorating the holiday Tuesday. Some veterans opposed to the Trump administration rallied against federal cuts and ICE raids — some of which have targeted noncitizen veterans across the country.

“Think about the irony of a Latino veteran who has served his country worried about being targeted by ICE because of the color of his skin,” Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) said.

Villegas, a former Marine, organizes resource fairs for those who’ve served in the military, from Vietnam War vets to recent service members. He said he finds many veterans aren’t aware of all the benefits they’re entitled to, especially at the local level. He encouraged veterans to reach out to local leaders and American Legion posts for help navigating the complex VA system.

Gabriel Villagomez, veterans services director at Kennedy-King College, said the local veterans community remains strong despite federal uncertainties.

“Service extends beyond when you put away the uniform,” said Villagomez, a former Marine. “I am glad to see my fellow brothers and sisters in arms advocating for those who can’t.”

Note: This story has been updated to add more context around veterans’ concerns about federal government cuts and the shutdown. 

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