American Legion District 10 Illinois

06/02/2026

The The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs offers Public Service Announcements for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Month

Springfield, IL – June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, when we raise awareness, provide resources, and offer support to those challenged with the symptoms of PTSD. Currently, 12 million people in the United States are diagnosed with PTSD. Veterans are more likely to experience PTSD, particularly those who have been deployed to a war zone or are struggling with their transition to civilian life. To protect our veterans, we must raise awareness and engagement in recovery.

Everyone with PTSD—whether they are veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events—needs to know that effective treatments can reduce symptoms and lead to a better quality of life.

In these Public Service Announcements, IDVA Director Terry Prince encourages those who are suffering to seek help and offers hope for a better future.

05/16/2026

Support Local Veterans. Operation Dropbox is Underway!

Lake County, IL Government & Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is again partnering with McHenry County to join the Operation Dropbox donation drive, and they are asking for your help to support local Veterans and their families.

Operation Dropbox is a multi-county project in which Medical Reserve Corps volunteers collect donations from drop sites and deliver them to Veterans Path to Hope of Lake County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing, employment assistance, peer support, caregiver training, and counseling to veterans.

Operation Dropbox is not only an opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of Veterans, but also a valuable training exercise for a potential real-world medical countermeasures distribution event. It is a chance to strengthen our partnerships and build essential skills in logistics, teamwork, and emergency preparedness.

Bring your donations of canned goods, pantry goods, household items or other personal items to a list of participating locations throughout Lake County. Donations will be taken until May 31.

Use the Operation Dropbox Donation Site Finder using the link below.
Use the Operation Dropbox Accepted Donation Items List using the link below.
https://www.lakecountyil.gov/5302/Operation-Dropbox

05/15/2026

With Grayslake American Legion Post 659 – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

05/01/2026

The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026, to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty.

In accordance with Public Law 107-51, the American flag should be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from sunrise to sunset in observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

04/27/2026

All, please see the flyer regarding a Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, May 9th.

04/25/2026

Today the American Legion 10th District and members of Honor Guards for multiple local posts and fellow Legionnaires came to honor and say goodbye to one of our own. Greg Corcoran was the adjutant of post 1170 and he shall be missed.

https://www.strangfuneral.org/obituaries/gregory-corcoran

American Legion Post 1170 - Round Lake Park IL
American Legion Zion Benton Post 865
Grayslake American Legion Post 659
Gurnee American Legion Post 771

04/24/2026

ATTENTION POSTS that have Honor Guards:

Illinois Senate Bill 220 Public Act 104-0078

Effective August 1, 2025, Public Act 104-0078 (formerly SB 220) mandates that Illinois employers with 51 or more employees provide up to eight hours of paid, job-protected leave per month—maxing at 40 hours per year—for eligible employees to participate in military funeral honors details.

Key Details of PA 104-0078 (SB 220):
• Eligibility: Employees must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and logged 1,250 hours in the preceding 12 months.
• Eligible Personnel: Active, reserve, or retired military members, or "authorized providers" (such as veterans service organizations) trained to perform funeral honors, including folding the U.S. flag and playing "Taps".
• Paid Leave: The leave must be paid at the employee's regular rate of pay.
• Usage: Up to 8 hours per month and up to 40 hours per calendar year.
• Protection: Employers cannot require employees to use other paid leave first, and the law prohibits retaliatory actions.
• Notice: Employees must provide reasonable notice.
• Exceptions: Certain care facilities may deny leave if it would directly cause a safety or staffing crisis.

This act amends the Illinois Military Leave Act to ensure veterans' funerals have adequate honors staff.

Veteran/Military Legislation—State of Illinois General Assembly Inclusion of legislation in this report is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of, support of, or opposition to any particular piece of legislation by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs

04/21/2026

From: Paul Ahern
To: 10th District Commanders and leaders
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 08:08:42 AM CDT
Subject: Celebration of Life, Veteran honors & Military Honors for Gregory Corcoran of Round Lake ALP 1170 on 4/25/2026

American Legion Comrades of the 10th District of Illinois,

Our beloved and faithful Legion comrade Greg Corcoran, an Army Veteran who served as Adjutant and Finance Officer of the Round Lake post 1170, passed away on March 20th due to health complications.

Seeking your presence and assistance in rendering veteran honors to Greg's military service and Legion Leadership service, and to his wife, Laura, son Sean, their other adult children, and their spouses and their grandchildren. The Veteran and military honors and a celebration of life will be conducted at the Round Lake Post 1170 at 111 East Main Street (IL Rte 134) in Round Lake on Saturday, 4/25/2026 (times below) .

A combined Gurnee Post 771 and Zion Benton Post 865 color guard, led by Post 771 Senior Vice Les Deffner, who will assist the Army honors detail with the military honors.

Grayslake Post 659 members will lead the Veteran Honors ceremony in conjunction with Post 1170 Commander Edwin Fuhrmann.

Other veterans throughout the 10th District can pay their condolences to Greg's widow, Laura, and their family.

The Corcoran family arrives to receive guests:

1300 - 1330 Guests arrive and join the family in expressing sympathies and having a social time with food

1330 - 1340** Veterans honors (Flower Casket Ceremony) executed by Post 659

1340 - 1350** Post 1170 Commander's testimony to Greg Corcoran

1350 - 1405** Army Military Honors by Army Detail supported by AL combined posts Color Guard (Les Deffner) & Bugler

1405 - 1410** Army Honors detail departs, Veteran Comrades with other commitments depart

1415- UC Celebration of Life of Greg Corcoran, led by Sean Corcoran, with the Corcoran family and friends

Veteran comrades, who are able, are encouraged to be present and attend.

See obituary details at the link below

Gregory Michael Corcoran Obituary March 20, 2026 - Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium

https://www.strangfuneral.org/obituaries/gregory-corcoran

CC:
American Legion Post 1170 - Round Lake Park IL
American Legion Zion Benton Post 865
Grayslake American Legion Post 659
Gurnee American Legion Post 771

Best Regards,

Paul Ahern
Junior Vice Commander, American Legion 10th District of Illinois, and Finance Officer, Wegge-Dimock Memorial American Legion Post 659 (Grayslake)

View Gregory Michael Corcoran's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/09/2026

Please remember these heroes today.