Illinois veterans are complaining because they say the state statute guaranteeing them preference to municipal jobs is being neglected.

The statute, enacted in 1935, grants veterans up to 1976 preference to public works jobs that are contracted by the state or any other “political subdivision.”

Don Craven, attorney for the Veterans Protective League, said “political subdivision” is a generic term used to include groups like housing authorities, park districts, school districts and townships in the statute.

“Illinois veterans are being denied job opportunities in every county of this state,” said Steve Denton, executive director of the Veterans Protective League. “Sanctions for violators should be imposed.”

The statutory sanctions are neglected because nobody has paid attention to them, Craven said. The veteran community has not been active enough to get them enforced, he added.

Denton and the “preference experts” at the Veterans Protective League are researching the issue. Although there have never been any lawsuits, there have been numerous complaints during the past year.

Republican Phil Novak introduced a bill to remove the date from the statute, Craven said. This will grant privileges to all veterans, including those from Operation Desert Storm, he said.

“There are veterans who want employment through state city works,” Craven said. “The labor unions, contractors and state are going to have to try and sort this out.”

So far, the issue has not been a problem in DeKalb, said City Attorney Ron Matekaitis.