Stephenson County gets new Veterans' Service Officer - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Veterans in Stephenson County have a new source of support thanks to the county's new Veterans' Service Officer (VSO).

Tina Paggi is an Army National Guard and OEF/OIF veteran. She will be available to help all veterans in Stephenson County with things like benefits, resources, permits, and more. She will be based at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs office at 1631 South Galena Avenue in Freeport from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Her phone number is 815-233-5092.

Veterans in need of assistance between office days can use the "Stand Up and Be Counted" tool found at www.veterans.illinois.gov to contact the office. By using the tool, it gives the IDVA a better grasp on where veterans are located and what services they are in need of.

Paggi and VSOs around the state can provide help with the following:

• Compensation benefits and document assistance
• Survivor and burial benefits
• Educational benefits
• Employment benefits
• Real estate and permits
• Referral assistance
• Illinois Veterans Homes

Assistance provided by VSOs are free of charge. For more information on the IDVA, visit www.veterans.illinois.gov.