NW Illinois News

State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) has been appointed as the chairperson of the Illinois House Veterans Affairs Committee for the 104th General Assembly. This appointment marks a departure from the tradition of assigning committee chairs to members of the majority party, but exceptions have been made in the past for this particular committee. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie expressed satisfaction with having a member of her caucus lead the committee this term.

Swanson has been involved with the Veterans Affairs Committee since taking office in 2017 and became the Republican Spokesperson on the panel in 2021. "This is a good step forward to begin this new term on bipartisan footing," said Leader McCombie. "Representative Swanson is an esteemed Veteran and a strong voice from our caucus that I know will do great work on behalf of this House Committee."

Swanson's military background includes enlisting in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1977, serving active duty, attending Officer Candidate School at the Illinois Military Academy, and being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1986. He retired after 20 years of active duty service and over three years with the National Guard.

"Supporting our veterans is a non-partisan issue," Swanson stated. "It is an honor to lead this committee in the new General Assembly. I am appreciative to Speaker Welch, the Republicans and Democrats who serve on the committee, and all those who have made improving services and public policy for our veterans a priority. I look forward to getting to work in this spring session."