IL HJR0060

The American Legion created the Buddy Check program under National Commander Brett Reistad to conduct wellness checks on veterans, initially twice yearly around American Legion's birthday and Veterans Day, then expanded to year-round checks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, American Legion posts used Buddy Checks to help homebound veterans obtain prescription refills and connected isolated veterans with comrades, and delivered food, personal protective equipment, and other resources based on identified needs.

Illinois urges the U.S. House of Representatives to approve federal legislation making the Veterans Buddy Check program a national program to reach more veterans and save more lives nationwide.

The U.S. Senate has already approved legislation to establish the Buddy Check program as a national program.

Illinois will deliver suitable copies of this resolution to the state's congressional delegation.