Title
Joint resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to outline the respective obligations and responsibilities of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VAC) and the Lake County Government.
Staff Summary
• Based on a recent legal opinion, it is advisable to establish an IGA to outline the respective obligations and responsibilities of the VAC and the County, as well as make several changes in current practices.
• The majority of the agreement captures current roles and practices. Additionally, proposed changes to current practices include clarifying that the State’s Attorney’s Office shall not serve as legal counsel for the VAC, as well as certain other changes related to the procurement of certain insurance coverage.
• In addition, as of the effective date of December 1, 2016, the Department of Finance and Administrative Services will provide financial, payroll and administrative support to the VAC.
• Finally, this agreement clarifies that all benefits provided by the VAC shall be governed by the VAC handbook, and these programs shall be jointly approved as part of the annual budget process.
• The VAC is in full support of this agreement.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VAC) is a local governmental unit recognized and established under the provisions of the Illinois Revised Statutes 1983, Chapter 23, Paragraph 3080-3090 inclusively, commonly referred to as the “Bogardus Act” which has since been succeeded by the Military Veterans Assistance Act (330 ILCS 45/0.01 et. seq.); and
WHEREAS, the County of Lake (County) and the VAC are public agencies as defined in the "Illinois Intergovernmental Cooperation Act" (5 ILCS 220/1, et. seq.,) and are authorized by Article 7, Section 10 of the Illinois Constitution to cooperate for public purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Military Veterans Assistance Act identifies , and the County recognizes, the VAC to be a unit of local government within the County for the purpose of providing assistance to military veterans entitled to receive such benefits under said Act; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes the importance of the VAC's role and the valuable services it provides to the honored veterans of Lake County; and
WHEREAS, the County and the VAC desire to enumerate their respective roles and responsibilities as set forth in the Military Veterans Assistance Act through an Intergovernmental Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Lake County Board that an Intergovernmental Agreement between the VAC and Lake County, in the substantial form contained herein, enumerating the roles and responsibilities of each party is hereby approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Intergovernmental Agreement between the COUNTY OF Lake and the VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION OF Lake COUNTY will replace and supersede any prior agreement between the parties, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Lake County Board is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Agreement on behalf of the County, and the Lake County Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to attest to such execution and affix the official seal thereto.
DATED, at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois on July 12, 2016