Costello follows family tradition of service

DU QUOIN, Ill. — As a veteran, Jerry Costello II recognizes the trait in other veterans that prompted him to enlist in the U.S. Army.

“Veterans, in general, have what I would call a very service-minded orientation. It’s really a sense that your country is more important than just yourself,” he said.

For Costello, Veterans Day — and every day — is an opportunity to pause and give thanks for those who served and who continue to serve.

“We’ve become such an instant gratification society, smartphones, laptops, iPads, and I don’t think we stop often enough to realize, every minute of every day, there are people deployed around the world currently, who are away from their families,” he said.

“They are in harm’s way, living in what are, most likely, not overly comfortable positions and situations. They are defending our democracy, our freedom and, most importantly, the Constitution that we are all so privileged to live under.”

Costello followed not only his desire to serve, but also a family tradition of service when he enlisted in the Army in 1989.

“My grandfather Costello was in the Army, I had an uncle in the Army, as well, and my family has been one that has put public service in the forefront. I always knew that I wanted to join the military,” he said.

Shortly after, Costello, a paratrooper with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, was deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Storm, the operation to liberate Kuwait, which had been invaded by Iraqi forces under Saddam Hussein.

“It was a different experience because it was very new to us and also to the Saudis,” he said.

The unit was deployed for just over nine months and Costello remained in the Army, after returning home, for just under another year.

“I got out and became a police officer,” he said.

Costello served in law enforcement for seven years. In 2011, Costello was elected to serve as a state representative, representing the 116th Illinois House district, where he chaired the Agriculture and Conservation Committee.

In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker tapped him for director of law enforcement at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In February 2020, Pritzker appointed Costello to serve as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Costello said it was his military service that prepared him for the government service and leadership roles he’s had and occupies now.

“One of the biggest lessons I learned in the military was lead by example. I remember one of our patches during training was ‘follow me,’” he said.

“As a leader, you don’t just tell people ‘go out and do this,’ you have to lead by example. You can’t ask people to do something you wouldn’t do or haven’t done yourself.”

As a veteran, Costello recognizes a known quantity when another veteran is hired at a state agency.

“I always really enjoy when we are able to hire a veteran into the agency or when we are able to work with veterans because I know they come into it with that sense of service in mind as far as the job they have to do and giving to others,” he said.

One of the ways that government and society return the favor for veterans is assisting them in transitioning out of the military and back into civilian life.

One state agency that works with veterans at all levels, from those who are just leaving military service to veterans who have been out of the military for longer periods of time, is the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Terry Prince is the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. They do a fabulous job. They do a welcome home letter to veterans. They certify their DD-214, then help them with VSOs, veterans service officers,” Costello said.

“They partner with groups like Joining Forces to make sure veterans have housing and food security. They make sure they get their GI Bill benefits. They do so much.

“I highly, highly, highly recommend anyone who is a veteran, whether you have just returned from service or you are a longtime veteran and have not looked into what your benefits are, please contact the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Prince is a 31-year U.S. Navy veteran. He was appointed in April 2021 as acting director of the IDVA.

The IDVA can be reached at 800-437-9824.