Earlier this week it was announced that State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) will be the chairperson of the Illinois House Veterans Affairs Committee in the 104th General Assembly. While committee chairs traditionally go to members of the majority party, the Veterans’ Affairs committee has been an exception in the past, and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie is pleased to have one of her caucus members at the helm this term. Swanson has been a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee since he first took office in 2017, rising to become 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.”
Rep. Swanson enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1977 and served on active duty before attending Officer Candidate School at the Illinois Military Academy and being commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1986. He retired in 2001 after 20 years on active duty and more than three years with the National Guard.
“Supporting our veterans is a non-partisan issue,” Swanson said. “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.”