Grant is a West Point graduate who served in combat in Iraq. He is originally from the Detroit, Mich. area.
Both Grant and Quinn said Sunday it was imperative for the state to support veterans in their needs for help in health, education and employment.
"About 1.2 million veterans live in Illinois. Each one, at some point, signed a blank check to their country for an amount up to and including their own life. It's our job to make sure the state holds up its end of that contract," Grant said.
Captain Grant served as advisor on Veterans' Affairs for Quinn when Quinn was lieutenant governor.
