Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County, IL

What Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County, IL does

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County (VACWC), commonly branded VACWC, is a county government entity established under Illinois state law (330 ILCS 45) and headquartered at 555 N. Court Street, Suite 300, Rockford, Illinois. It serves honorably discharged veterans, their family members, and surviving spouses residing in Winnebago County through three core service lines: VA Services (accredited Veteran Service Officers assist with VA disability compensation, pension, Aid and Attendance, and burial benefits claims, plus discharge paperwork and upgrades), a Financial Assistance Program (emergency support for housing, utilities, and rapid access to emergency shelter), and Transportation Services (rides to medical appointments and VA facilities, plus public transportation vouchers). All services are provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries, with delivery via scheduled appointments, walk-ins, and community outreach events.

The organization is governed by a board of commissioners composed of delegates and alternates from local veteran service organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV, AmVets, Vietnam Veterans of America, 40 & 8, Marine Corps League, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association) and operates under standard governmental rather than proprietary technology. Its primary revenue mechanism is government funding: Winnebago County appropriated $1,119,000 for FY2025 against a certified budget request of $1,639,803.01, and the commission has additionally secured $2,011,710.12 in federal benefits for Winnebago County veterans since November 2023 through claim representation. The commission has approximately 5–9 staff, and 2025 saw significant leadership turnover, including the appointment of Debi Hoover as Assistant Superintendent (July 21, 2025), Maryna Misiewicz as Interim Superintendent (August 20, 2025), and Willie Borden Jr. as Interim Superintendent (January 15, 2026), alongside an active legal dispute with the Winnebago County Board over budget appropriation levels.

Name

Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County, IL

Legal name

Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County

Website

https://vacwc.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County is a county government entity, established under Illinois law (330 ILCS 45), that provides free VA claims assistance, financial assistance, and transportation services to honorably discharged veterans, their families, and surviving spouses in Winnebago County, Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Veteran Services

NAICS

Administration of Veterans' Affairs (923140)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

Keywords

• Veterans benefits assistance
• VA claims assistance
• Veteran financial assistance
• Veteran transportation services
• Government veteran services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. County Government Funding: The VACWC is primarily funded by Winnebago County government. The organization submitted a certified budget of $1,639,803.01 for Fiscal Year 2025, which included $875,500.00 for services and $764,303.01 for salaries. The county ultimately appropriated $1,119,000.00. Additional funding comes from federal programs as evidenced by $2,011,710.12 in federal funds secured since November 2023.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County (VACWC) is a county government entity that assists honorably discharged veterans, their families, and surviving spouses residing in Winnebago County, Illinois. Core offerings include VA claims assistance (disability compensation, pension, Aid and Attendance, burial benefits, DD214 retrieval), a Financial Assistance Program (emergency housing and utilities support), and Transportation Services (rides to medical appointments and VA facilities). Services are delivered free of charge by nationally accredited Veteran Service Officers.

Product overview

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County is a governmental organization providing veteran services through a coordinated set of programs. The core offerings include VA Services (accredited claims assistance for disability compensation, pensions, Aid and Attendance, and burial benefits), a Financial Assistance Program (emergency housing and utilities support), Transportation Services (medical transport and transit vouchers), and appointment scheduling. Services are delivered by accredited Veteran Service Officers who represent claimants before the Veterans Benefits Administration. Since November 2023, the organization has secured $2,011,710.12 in federal funds for Winnebago County veterans and provided 904 nights of emergency shelter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VA Services Accredited Veteran Service Officers assist veterans with VA benefits including disability compensation claims, pension claims, Aid and Attendance claims, burial benefits, obtaining discharge papers (DD214), and discharge upgrades.
• Financial Assistance Program Emergency financial support including housing assistance, utility payments, rapid access to emergency shelter (904 nights of emergency shelter provided), and referrals to other support services.
• Transportation Services Rides to medical appointments, VA hospitals, and public transportation vouchers for veterans in need.
• Schedule An Appointment Appointment scheduling service allowing veterans to book consultations with Veteran Service Officers to review benefit qualifications and receive assistance.
• Claim Representation Services Veteran Service Officers represent claimants in navigating the Veterans Benefits Administration process to recover claim funds for veterans.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2,011,710.12 in federal funds secured for veterans since November 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hard Rock RockfordcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of the Veteran Employment and Resource Fair to connect veterans with career opportunities and essential resources. The event provides a platform for employers to meet veteran job seekers and for various service organizations to connect veterans with support services.
• 40 & 8 Voiture 408minorOthersLocal chapter of The Forty and Eight, a veterans organization committed to charitable and patriotic aims, supporting veterans, their widows, widowers and orphans.
• American Legion (Multiple Posts)coreOthersMultiple American Legion posts in Winnebago County including Walter Craig Post #60, Barloga Post #197, Holtz-Hirst Post #288, Walter Graham Post #332, Jefferson/Horton Post #340, Gold Star Post #676, and Robert Carlson Post #1207. The American Legion is built on a promise from those who served to defend and protect the United States through military service.
• AmVets Rock River Valley Post #922coreOthersAmVets is the nation's most inclusive Congressionally-chartered veterans service organization, representing the interests of 20 million veterans and open to all who honorably served.
• Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 24-6minorOthersNational association of Combat Veterans from all branches who ride motorcycles, focused on providing assistance and help to individual veterans, veteran care facilities, and other veteran organizations.
• DAV Blackhawk Life Chapter #29coreOthersDisabled American Veterans organization providing help with filing VA claims for disability compensation, appealing claims decisions and securing transportation to VA medical appointments.
• Marine Corps League #83minorOthersOrganization continuing the tradition of looking out for Marines, providing mentorship, career counseling, Veteran Service Officer VA support, and assisting with transitions.
• VFW Posts (#342, #2955, #5149, #9759)coreOthersVeterans of Foreign Wars posts in Winnebago County including Col. Thomas Lawler Post #342, Roscoe Post #2955, Ross/Pearson Post #5149, and Clifford E. Johnson Post #9759. VFW is a patriotic organization of U.S. war veterans.
• Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 984coreOthersLocal chapter promoting and supporting issues important to Vietnam veterans, creating a new identity for this generation of veterans, and changing public perception.
• Illinois Department of Veterans' AffairscoreOthersState-level partner providing resources and support for Illinois veterans, including participation in veteran events and resource fairs.
• Veterans Drop-In CentercoreOthersNonprofit providing essential social services to veterans including onsite meals, food and housing needs, medical support, transportation, job training and assistance, and government and VA Services.
• Veterans Health AdministrationcoreOthersFederal partner providing healthcare services, including HUD-VASH housing programs, ICARE services, and general veteran healthcare. Participates in veteran resource events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Federal agency that administers the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Health Administration programs the VACWC helps veterans access. Operates at national scale but is the upstream entity whose claims process the VACWC's accredited VSOs navigate.
• Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs: State-level agency overseeing veterans' affairs in Illinois. Operates broadly across the same veteran population but at higher jurisdiction; the VACWC is a listed community partner and works alongside IDVA on resource events.

Emerging players

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): National congressionally chartered VSO that also provides free help with VA disability claims, appeals, and transportation. Cross-accredits with NACVSO and is a core referral partner of the VACWC; competes for some of the same claimant-assistance work.
• Vietnam Veterans of America: National VSO with local Chapter 984 in Winnebago County providing veteran advocacy and benefits support. Comparable niche focus and overlap with VACWC service offerings; the commission's president and finance chair are VVA delegates.
• American Legion: Largest congressionally chartered wartime veterans organization, with seven posts in Winnebago County. Provides VA claims assistance and veteran support that overlaps with VACWC's mission, often serving as a referral pipeline.
• AmVets: Congressionally chartered VSO representing 20M+ veterans. Operates Rock River Valley Post #922 in the same county as the VACWC, providing overlapping benefit-referral and advocacy services.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): National congressionally chartered VFW with multiple Winnebago County posts that provide accredited VA claims assistance and benefit referrals. Operates four local posts (#342, #2955, #5149, #9759) overlapping the same geographic service area as the VACWC.

Direct peers

• Veterans Drop-In Center (Rockford): Rockford-based nonprofit providing onsite meals, food, housing, medical support, transportation, job training, and VA/government services to veterans. Directly comparable mission and geographic footprint; the VACWC lists it as a core referral partner.
• Stephenson County Veterans Assistance Commission: Another Illinois county Veterans Assistance Commission established under the same 330 ILCS 45 statute. Directly comparable in legal structure, mission, and service mix; Maryna Misiewicz, the VACWC's previous interim superintendent, ran this commission for 16 years.

Others

• National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO): National association that accredits county-level Veteran Service Officers. Functions as an enabling ecosystem player rather than a direct competitor—the VACWC's VSOs are NACVSO-accredited, making it a structural peer network for talent and best practices.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterans-assistance-commission-of-winnebago-county

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County, IL