Change to Hours and Access For Bond County Veterans' Service Office

SPRINGFIELD – In the future, Veterans and family members in and around Bond County, Illinois should find it easier to get to see a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). 

Ed Barnes, the IDVA VSO for Bond County, will staff an office in Greenville on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month beginning Weds. Feb. 26, 2014.    

The office is co-located at the Bond County Health Department Building, 1520 South 4th Street, Greenville, IL 62246.  He can be reached there at (618) 664-1442.

Barnes also has the primary responsibility for the Madison County VSO office for the IDVA.  The Madison County office remains at 606 W. St. Louis Ave., Suite #1, East Alton, IL 62024 with hours from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily, except 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wednesday of each month.  He can be reached at the Madison County office at (618) 258-9860 Fax:  (618) 258-9861

Veterans may also use the “Stand Up and Be Counted” online tool at www.veterans.illinois.gov to initially contact a VSO. Veterans who do so will be assisting their fellow veterans by helping IDVA and the entire veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of the location and number of Illinois’ veterans. This will assist in planning future services, seeking additional federal VA funding and facilities, and generally support Illinois’ veterans better.

The Veterans’ Service Office is part of a statewide network that assists Illinois veterans in navigating a network of resources and benefits available to them. Offices are staffed by professionals who provide accurate, up-to-date information, answer questions, and assist with preparing and filing of claims for federal, state and local benefits completely free of charge.

Assistance and information provided by VSOs includes:

Compensation Benefits Claims
Document Assistance
Survivor and Burial Benefits
Educational Benefits 
Employment Benefits
Real Estate and Permits
Referral Assistance
Illinois Veterans Homes

For more information, please visit www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824.