HR1253 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1253 LRB100 23432 ALS 42465 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is of utmost importance that we honor those who have fought and served for the freedom of our nation; and

WHEREAS, Many veterans returning from service suffer from physical and psychological ailments, which makes finding and maintaining employment and consistent housing difficult; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 80% of homeless veterans suffer from mental health disorders, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders, with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being one of the largest mental health challenges for returning veterans; and

WHEREAS, Since the American Revolution, over 2.5 million American women have served, or are serving, honorably in the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Currently, of the over 22 million veterans in the United States, 2.2 million are women; of the over 495,000 unemployed veterans in the United States, approximately 23,000 are women; of the over 47,000 homeless veterans in the United States, over 4,000 are women; and

WHEREAS, From 2016 to 2017, the number of homeless female veterans increased by seven percent, compared to the one percent increase of their male counterparts; women veterans are two to three times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the United States adult population; homeless female veterans are the fastest-growing demographic in the homeless community; and

WHEREAS, One factor that contributes to this discrepancy is military sexual assault; the rate of violent sexual crimes within the military has increased by 64% since 2006; while women constitute only 14.6% of the military, they account for 95% of reported military sexual assault victims; and

WHEREAS, Female veterans who are victims of military sexual assault are nine times more likely to develop PTSD and 6.5 times more likely to experience homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Many victims of military sexual assault do not feel comfortable seeking help through the military resource of the Department of Veterans Affairs; an estimated 82% of women veterans do not use the Department of Veterans Affairs, leaving over 1.8 million women veterans without access to homeless prevention services; and

WHEREAS, Other factors in homelessness among female veterans include the lack of access to affordable childcare services, limited access to gender-specific services at Veterans Affairs medical centers, and an increased risk for mental health disorders; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, over 55,000 women veterans reside in the state of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, 13% of our veterans are homeless, including 1,100 women veterans across the state; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the number of homeless female veterans is a tragedy and disgrace for the women who have so honorably served and protected our nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we pay honor to and recognize our homeless female veterans by designating October 7, 2018 as Homeless Women Veterans Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Department of Veterans Affairs, all members of the Illinois General Assembly, and the Governor of the State of Illinois.