SPRINGFIELD – A staunch advocate of the veteran community, State Senator Mike Porfirio has been named chair of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee for the 104th General Assembly.
“Veterans are pillars of the community, leaders and public servants throughout the great state of Illinois,” said Porfirio (D- Lyons Township). “I am honored and committed to defending the rights of my fellow veterans, as they have heroically defended ours.”
Porfirio, a Navy veteran himself, served over seven years on active duty. In 2005, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he patrolled Iraqi Oil Terminals and responded to the Pakistani earthquake relief efforts. After returning home, he was recalled to active duty as a Senior U.S. Military Advisor to the Afghan National Police from 2013 and 2014. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his service during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Porfirio continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve and has over 24 years of collective service in uniform.
During the 103rd General Assembly, Porfirio served as vice chair of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee, where he passed bills to safeguard veterans from predatory business practices and make benefits for veterans more accessible. He received recognition for his efforts in the Senate from the Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars, which named him Senator of the Year in 2024.
“I am proud of the progress we have made these past years, but there is still much work to be done,” said Porfirio. “As chair of the Veteran Affairs Committee, I will work tirelessly to ensure our veterans receive the support they deserve.”
Porfirio encourages those within veterans’ organizations to reach out to his district office at 708-430-2510 to share proposals on how Illinois can support our valued service members.
