Neighbor News
ILLINOIS OPERATION RECOGNITION - High School Diplomas for Veterans (and a Taft HS Connection!)
IL Vets might be able to receive their HS diploma under new state law
Greetings Neighbors,
Just learned about this today from a fellow vet (Art) who also happens to be a Taft HS Alum! Totally cool local connection. I've copied his email below as is so please contact him with any questions.
Jac Charlier
jac.charlier@gmail.com
Many thanks to Mark Grishaber, the current Principal of Taft High School in Chicago (my former high school). Mr. Grishaber told me about all this last November and provided the paperwork for the Chicago Public Schools.
Below are instructions on how Illinois Veterans (**anywhere in the State**) who meet the following eligibility requirements might be able to still receive their HS diploma:
1) Left High School before graduating to join the US Military
2) Still does not have a High School Diploma or a GED Equivalent
3) Is an Honorably Discharged Veteran from
a) WW 2
b) Korean Conflict
c) Vietnam Conflict
For those who qualify and who are interested, please fill out an application and send with a copy of your DD-214 or WW2 Discharge Papers to your former High School or School District.
Please redact your Social Security Number, if it appears on your DD-214 or Discharge Papers.
NOTE: Most school districts in Illinois have not created an application for this and some school districts might not know about this relatively new law. The suggestion is to call them first. Don’t be surprised if they have not heard of this new law.
If they don’t already have their own application, my suggestion is to fill out the Chicago Application as an example.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Art Ellingsen at 847-873-8116 or E-mailartellingsen@att.net. If I don’t answer, leave a message and I expect to be able to return all calls within 72 hours. If you don’t hear from me within 72 hours, please call back.