Reactions to federal government shutdown in Vermilion County

Oct

2025

In the News

Reactions to federal government shutdown in Vermilion County

DANVILLE — Just after midnight on Wednesday, the Federal Government shut down for the first time since 2018.

In Vermilion County, the shutdown is impacting some services with the Veterans Affairs.

According to the VA Press Secretary, Pete Kasperowicz, the government shutdown is blamed on “radical liberals” within Congress.

“Radical liberals in Congress are trying to shut down the government to achieve their crazy fantasy of open borders, ‘transgender’ for everybody, and men competing in women’s sports,” Kasperowicz added, “If they succeed, they will stop critical Veterans care and assistance programs.”

During the shutdown, Kasperowicz said to expect certain VA programs to be closed.

There will be no career counseling for veterans or any help with transition assistance program activities.

Veterans will not be able to access the GI Bill Hotline or the regional benefits office. There will also be no outreach to veterans with public affairs.

All national cemeteries will not be placing permanent headstones, nor will they be maintaining the grounds at those burial spots.

There will also be no processing of applications for pre-need burials, nor will any new Presidential Memorial Certificates be printed.

While there are services that will not be available, there are ones that will be open and running.

Officials said no part of Veteran health care will be impacted, whether the care is through VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, or other Vet centers.

All VA benefits will continue to be given, including housing and education.

Burials will also continue to take place at National Cemeteries.

And the Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue to make decisions on Veterans’ cases.

The crisis lines will also remain open.

Democrat Robin Kelly, representative for the Illinois Second District, released the following statement regarding the federal government shutdown:

“Republicans are in charge of the White House, the Senate, and the House — but they are nowhere to be seen to keep our government open. Democrats have repeatedly offered to negotiate in a bipartisan manner to keep the government open while lowering the cost of healthcare. President Trump and his Congressional Republicans gutted Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion in his Big, Ugly Law, and millions of more Americans will experience skyrocketing premiums due to their inaction. Healthcare is a right — not a privilege for the wealthy few and well-connected. I will always choose to fight for healthcare over billionaires every time,’’ Kelly said.

Kelly went on to state that 15,000 people are expected to have healthcare costs increase.

She said this would cause an increase of over $2,571 per year for a family of four earning around $64,000 a year.

Republican Mary Miller, a representative for the Illinois 15th District, was contacted for a response, but did not supply one in time for publication. She did post on her social media, “I voted to keep the government open for our troops, seniors, and working families. Democrats voted to shut it down over illegal aliens and reckless spending.”

The last time the federal government shut down was in 2018, and it lasted 35 days during President Trump’s first term in office.

By Christy Jankowski