Well considering all the comments about membership this year it is almost at an end. This is May and "close of books" is just around the corner and we’re at 92.92% membership. I know that if we are going to make it, we will have to wake up a few districts that are sleeping. I was hoping for at least 95.00% by this time of year. If any posts have cards to turn in please bring them to this meeting.

Chairman of Committee, I will need a written report from you by this meeting so that they can be put in the First Division Convention Book, that will be handed out at the First Division Convention.

Please get them to Adjutant Ed Mc Cambridge as soon as possible.

We are still looking for Boy Staters and Police State candidates, please contact me if you need any help. We need to keep our programs going, and there is still time. Submit the "Police and Firefighters of the Year" to Department. Any questions please call me.

We are going to have a blow out Convention this year, it’s going to be the best we’re ever had with the Hospitality Room. I would like to have every District in the First Division with me on this as we have a great Division. The best in the State, lets show them that we are a family. So lets have a family reunion. You know me, everything is going to be top shelf.

All District Commanders please make our May meeting, and it would be nice to see all of you. I want to thank everyone that worked with me this year. The last three years went by fast. So, lets give it one last hurrah for the gripper as Notre Dame would say.
 

JR. VICE COMMANDER'S MESSAGE
KENNETH PENN

The Past Commanders Luncheon will be held at the European Chalet, 5400 S. Harlem Av. Sunday, June 1, 2008. Cocktails, 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be 2:00 p.m.. It will be family style menu, entree, soup, salad and dessert. Open Bar. Cost is $30.00 per person. Tables of ten. The flyer is enclosed.

Armed Forces Day Dinner will be held at Airport Road Holiday Inn in Elgin tickets are $30.00 per person. Cash Bar, Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 P.M. Guest Speaker is our own National Commander Marty Conatser. Download the flyer on the Department Website.

The American Legion Premier Boy State will be held June 7 to 13, 2008. The Tuition for sponsoring the boys is $200.00 per boy. Send to the Department. Send Transportation Fee of $50.00 per boy to: Patricia Novotny, 801 S. Plymouth Court #519, Chicago, IL 60605. Call 312-957-0135 if any questions.

SR. VICE COMMANDER'S MESSAGE
AL COUGHLIN

The new membership incentive checks have been mailed. Even if you did not bring in any new membership during the program, your Post Commander will receive a special letter from me concerning membership.

Regarding membership, it was announced at the Spring DEC that from now until the June, Department "Close of Books" that the Department of Illinois is offering a "Special Incentive." This information has been mailed to each Post commander, every new member mailed in, the Department per capita charge will be $35.00 for two years (that will pay for their 2008 and 2009 dues). Just note it on the card sent to Department for processing.

Don’t Stop Now! I ask that you continue to recruit new members. Also, please continue to work on getting your renewals in. Make that phone call, send that letter or post card to those who have not yet renewed. As of April 11th, the good new is that our Division is in third place but, The First Division is still 1,561 renewals down from 2007. I ask that everyone chip in, pull up those shirt sleeves and get on those renewals. Thanks and let’s all get together for the home stretch and put the First Division. "Top in Membership" for 2008.

An "American Legion Extension Institute" Class was held on March 30th and I’m happy to report that we graduated 23 Legion and Auxiliary members. Another class will be held in May, it was reaffirmed that I’m the instructor for The First Division. After three years, the Department has finally "given in" and is beginning to purchase equipment for all five Divisions and is appointing instructors for each. The First and Second Divisions have already been supplied and are functional. Each Division instructor will be able to present Post Officer, Adjutant and "American Legion Extension Institute" classes, along with other presentations, in their respective divisions. If you want more information on this, please contact me. We need to utilize this program, to show the Department that their investment was well worth it!

We’re planning a barbeque sometime in September or October with the Second Division to be held at the Genoa Post, and it should prove fun! More information will follow.

The First Division Installation of Officers will be held on Sunday, August 17th at la Villa. Mark your calendars and of course, more information to follow!

Please note that the June 7, 2008 First Division Convention will be held at: Franklin Park Post #974, 9757 W. Pacific Ave., Franklin Park, Il. Convention will start at 8:00 A.M.

Raymond Toczek: VA&R

A recent law was passed in Illinois giving service-connected disabled veterans a reduction in their equalized assessed value on their property tax bills. Veterans rated 50% to 70% will have their EAV reduced by $2,500 and those rated 80% to 100% will see their EAV go down by $5,000. This will result in a lower property tax bill. To obtain this Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption you will need form PTAX-342 and a certified copy of your discharge papers. Contact the State of IL at 312-814-2480 for information on how to obtain these. You will also need a current letter from the VA showing your current disability percent rating. This letter can be obtained directly from the VA at 1-800-827-1000.