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State of IllinoisPat Quinn, GovernorIllinois Department of Veterans’ AffairsRodrigo Garcia, Acting DirectorState of IllinoisBenefits for VeteransServing Those Who Have ServedIllinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs833 S. Spring St.P.O. Box 19432Springfield, IL 6279494321-800-437-9824www.veterans.illinois.gov
Pat Quinn, GovernorState of IllinoisThroughout my life in public service,it has always been important to me tohonor the men and women who bravelyand selflessly put their lives on the lineto serve our nation in the United StatesArmed Forces. As Governor, it hasremained a priority to ensure thatIllinois is the most “veteran-friendly”state in the nation.I’m proud that through the IllinoisDepartment of Veterans’ Affairs, ourstate’s 1.3 million Veterans receive themost comprehensive services possiblein accessing the federal and state benefits they have earned and richlydeserve.From our Operation Home Front website ,(www.standingupforillinois.org/homefront), which provides local andfederal resources for reintegrating service members and their families,to the more than 100 Veterans Service Offices located statewide toassist veterans firsthand with benefits information, our goal has alwaysbeen to empower Veterans with gaining full access to every benefit andto help them achieve their educational and career goals.This comprehensive booklet, “Serving Those Who Have Served” isyet another important tool toward that goal. It provides the most currentweb addresses, telephone numbers and service office locationsavailable to help you get started.Illinois Veterans answered the call to defend our freedom worldwide;we will always defend their rights at home.Pat Quinn, GovernorState of Illinois2
Rodrigo Garcia, Acting DirectorIllinois Department of Veterans AffairsOur veterans and their families have borne atremendous burden for our country and it isour obligation as a citizenry to honor andserve them upon their return. That’s exactlywhat we at the Illinois Department ofVeterans’ Affairs (IDVA) stand ready to do.Our mission at IDVA is to empowerveterans and their families to thrive. We dothis by assisting them in navigating the systemof federal state and local resources andbenefits; by providing long-term health carefor eligible veterans in our Veterans’ Homes; and by partnering withother agencies and non-profits to help veterans address education,mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges.We do this not just as an expression of our debt of gratitude to thosewho have served, but also for the sake of our communities andcompanies; after all, veterans are proven public servants from whoseefforts all of Illinois stands to benefit. That is why we at IDVA areproud to assist the nearly 800,000 Veterans who live in Illinois, as wellas their dependents and survivors.We would encourage all veterans and their families to tap into theextensive network of programs and services at their disposal. OurVeteran Service Officers (VSOs) stand ready to assist. They are trueexperts who can help with applications for federal, state, and localbenefits ranging from health care and employment services todisability compensation, tax exemptions, and theater-specific bonuses.For more information, visit our website at www.veterans.illinois.gov.Even for those veterans who feel they are not currently in need ofassistance, we would encourage you to “Stand Up and Be Counted” byvisiting your local VSO and registering. Do it not for just you, but forthe battle buddies who fought on your left and right. You’ll help us toplan services, seek federal funding, and better understand the needs ofthe veteran community we serve.To all who have served this country and their family members:thank you for stepping forward and contributing to the well-being ofour nation. Now it’s our duty to serve you, and we at IDVA are proudto do so.Rodrigo Garcia, Acting DirectorIllinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs3
Table of ContentsBenefitsVeteran Service Office DirectoryCompensation and PensionDocumentationBonusesEducation and TrainingEmployment BenefitsHealth CareWomen VeteransBurial BenefitsHousing BenefitsIllinois Veterans HomesCamping, Fishing and HuntingTransportationVeterans Conservation CorpsVeterans Cash GrantVeteran of the MonthMilitary Family Relief FundIncarcerated Veterans IllinoisSpecial License PlatesVA Hospitals, Outpatient Clinics & Vet CentersVA CemeteriesOther 525-2727-282929293030303131-3232-363636-45
The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has Veteran ServiceOfficers located throughout Illinois and are the subject matter experts when it comes to federal, state and local benefits and programs.The offices are listed by county. This information can also be found at,Receive the Newsletter:www.veterans.illinois.govFriend us on FacebookFollow us on twitter.com/ILVetsAffairsIllinois Department of Veterans’ AffairsService Office kDuPageCityQuincy217-222-8641 ext. rleston217-345-2192Downtown Chicago312-814-3326Southwest of Downtown Chicago312-980-4513South Side Chicago773-363-9851Northwest Side Chicago773-292-7894Chicago Heights708-754-6403Blue Island708-396-9840North nd Park708-403-2011Des Plaines847-294-4664Wheaton630-690-9449Franklin Park847-451-51115
52-0227Murphysboro618-684-2966Mt. Vernon618-246-2910 ext. -468-6581 ext. 230Galesburg309-343-2510North Chicago847-689-4153LaSalle815-223-0303 ext. 15-338-9292Bloomington309-827-5811City6
MorganPeoriaRock IslandSt. a309-671-3179Rock Island309-793-1460E. St. 5092Danville217-442-1711Rock 309Machesney Park815-633-78407
Compensation and PensionThe Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs helps Veterans, familymembers and survivors in filing claims for both federal and statebenefits. We also provide assistance with record gathering andappeals in case of denial. Meet our accredited, professional VeteranService Officers at one of the offices located near you. Our web siteis www.veterans.illinois.gov.Disability CompensationDisability compensation is a tax free benefit paid to a veteran fordisabilities that are a result of, or made worse by, injuries ordiseases that happened while on active duty, active duty for training, orinactive duty training. Disability compensation is also paid to certainVeterans disabled from VA health care.You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a servicerelated disability and you were discharged under other thandishonorable conditions.Disability PensionPension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans with limited income, andwho are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older. You maybe eligible for this benefit if:you were discharge from service under other than dishonorableconditions, ANDyou served 90 days or more of active duty with at least one dayduring a period of war time, ANDyour countable family income falls below a yearly limit set bylaw, ANDyou are permanently and totally disabled, ORyou are age 65 or olderProtected PensionPension beneficiaries, who were receiving a VA pension on December31, 1978 and did not elect the Improved Pension, must continue tomeet eligibility requirements such as permanent and total disability.Death PensionDeath pension is a benefit paid to eligible dependents of deceasedwartime Veterans. You may be eligible if:the deceased Veteran was discharged from service under otherthan dishonorable conditions, ANDhe or she served 90 days or more of active duty with at leastone day during a period of war, ANDyou are the surviving spouse or unmarried child of the8
deceased Veteran, ANDyour countable income falls below a yearly income limit set bylaw.Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for ServiceConnected DeathsThis is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of a:military service member who died while on active duty, activeduty for training, or inactive duty training, ORVeteran whose death resulted from service-related injury ordisease, ORVeteran whose death resulted from a non-service-related injuryor disease, and who was receiving, or was entitled to receive,VA compensation for service-connected disability that wasrated as totally disabling:- for at least 10 years immediately before death, OR- since the Veteran’s release from active duty and for atleast five years immediately preceding death, or- for at least one year before death if the Veteran was aformer Prisoner of War who died after September 30, 1999.Aid and Attendance or HouseboundA Veteran or surviving spouse who is a resident in a nursing home orwho needs regular aid from another person may qualify for this benefit.Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a benefit paid in addition to monthlypension. This benefit may not be paid without eligibility to pension. Aveteran may be eligible for A&A when:The veteran requires the aid of another person in order toperform personal functions required in everyday living, suchas bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature,adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself fromthe hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from anyprescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental orphysical incapacity, OR,The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have correctedvisual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentriccontraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.Housebound is paid in addition to monthly pension. Like A&A,Housebound benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension.9
A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluatedas 100percent disabling AND, due to such disability, he/sheis permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediatepremises, OR,The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluatedas 100percent disabling AND, another disability, or disabilities, evaluated as 60 percent or more disabling.A veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Houseboundbenefits at the same time.Agent OrangeVeterans who served in the Vietnam War between January 9, 1962 andMay 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange andother herbicides. Eleven illnesses are presumed to be service connectedby the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to afflict VietnamVeterans. They include any form of chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda,soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, respiratorycancers, non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer, and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, type 2 diabetes, and chronic lymphocyticleukemia. For more information, please contact the nearest serviceoffice. (see pages 5-7 for local service office listings)Line of Duty CompensationThis is a benefit administered by the Illinois Court of Claims. Itprovides approximately 300,000 for surviving next of kin ofIllinois service members killed in the line of duty in support of theGlobal War on Terrorism. Your local service office will be able toassist in filling out the application.(see pages 5-7 for local serviceoffice listings)Gulf War VeteransGulf War Veterans may receive compensation for chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses and medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illnesses. The symptoms must haveappeared during the Gulf War, or to a degree of at least 10 percent atany time since then through December 31, 2011.Prisoners Of WarThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs presumes that formerPOWs who were imprisoned for any length of time during militaryservice could suffer from the following service connected conditions:psychosis, anxiety, dysthymic disorder, residuals of frostbite, post10
traumatic osteoarthritis, heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease,stroke and residuals of stroke. Former POWs who were imprisoned forat least 30 days are presumed to have the following: avitaminosis,beriberi, chronic dysentery,helminthiasis, malnutrition,pellagra, irritable bowel syndrome,peptic ulcer disease, peripheralneuropathy and cirrhosis of theliver. For more information or toapply for this monetary benefitplease contact the nearest serviceoffice. (see pages 5-7 for local service office listings)Atomic VeteransVeterans who participated in atomic tests and suffer from leukemia,cancer of the thyroid, breast, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, smallintestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinarytract, brain, bone, lung, colon, and ovary, bronchiole alveolarcarcinoma, multiple myeloma, lymphomas and primary liver cancer,may qualify for this benefit. If you participated, contact our nearestservice office for more information.(see pages 5-7 for local serviceoffice listings)Concurrent Retirement/Disability Payments (CRDP)This program went into effect January 1, 2004, and is available tomilitary retirees who served a minimum of 20 years creditable service,including service in the National Guard and Reserves. CRDPrestores some or all of the military retired pay that was deducted due toreceipt of VA service connected disability compensation.Retirees must be rated 50 percent or more disabled by the VA and,unlike Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), thedisabilities do not have to be combat related. Retirees are not requiredto apply for this benefit; enrollment is automatic.Combat Related Special CompensationCRSC went into effect June 1, 2003, and is available to militaryretirees (including National Guard or Reserve retirees) who have 20years of service. Guard and Reserve retirees with a “20year letter”became eligible as of January 2004. It is payable for combat relateddisabilities only. Qualified Reservists will not receive CRSC until theybegin to receive military retired pay at age 60. Retirees must apply withtheir branch of service to participate in this program; enrollment is notautomatic.11
DocumentationDischarges, Service Records and MedalsThe Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will assist any Veteran inobtaining their discharge papers (DD214), service records, medicalrecords, medals, ribbons and awards.Discharge UpgradesWe assist Veterans in applying for discharge upgrades and corrections.However, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will notrepresent Veterans before the branches of the military for any reason.This includes the boards for correction of military records anddischarge review boards.BonusesThe State of Illinois offers a onetime bonus for Veterans who servedhonorably during a time of war. Certain medals are needed to qualify.Veterans or their survivors may apply at their nearest service office.Check out web site www.veterans.illinois.gov/.World War II BonusA bonus of 10 per month for Domestic Service and 15 per month forForeign Service is payable for those who served on active dutybetween September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945 and received anhonorable discharge. Survivors are entitled to a benefit of 1,000, ifthe veteran's death was service-connected and as a result of hostileaction with unfriendly forces.Korean War BonusA 100 Korean War bonus is payable to Veterans who served betweenJune 27, 1950 and July 27, 1953, received the Korean Service Medal,and were a resident of Illinois 12 months immediately prior to enteringthe service and discharged honorably.Vietnam War BonusThe Vietnam War bonus is payable to Veterans who served betweenJanuary 1, 1961 and March 28, 1973 and those who served inOperation Frequent Wind, Vietnam, April 29 and 30, 1975. TheVeteran must have received either the Vietnam Service Medal orArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam, and were a residentof Illinois 12 months immediately prior to entering the service anddischarged honorably.12
Persian Gulf War BonusA 100 Persian Gulf War bonus is for those who served betweenAugust 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995, and received the SouthwestAsia Service Medal, honorably discharged and were a resident ofIllinois 12 months immediately prior to entering the service anddischarged honorably.(Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian GulfWar may apply)Global War on Terrorism (new)A 100 bonus is available to those who served on or after September11, 2001 and who received either the Global War on Terrorismexpeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,Afghanistan Campaign Medal or the Iraq Campaign Medal, served atleast 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days of foreign or seaservice and Individuals currently on active duty under Global War aswell as a resident of Illinois 12 months immediately prior to enteringthe service and discharged honorably.Vietnam Survivors CompensationSurvivors are entitled to a payment of 1,000 if the Veteran's deathis service connected or the direct result of service connecteddisabilities incurred in the period specified. A separate applicationis required.Global War on Terrorism Survivors CompensationCompensation of 3,000 is available to survivors of persons killed byterrorist acts or hostile activities during performance of militaryservice in periods not recognized as wartime by UnitedStates campaign or service medals. You must have been a resident ofIllinois 12 months immediately prior to entering the service anddischarged honorably.POW CompensationPersons on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States oremployed by the U.S. Government on or after January 1, 1961, andwho were residents of Illinois 12 months prior to entry and who weretaken and held prisoner by hostile forces in South East Asia are entitledto a 50 bonus for each month or portion thereof while being heldcaptive.13
Education and TrainingMontgomery GI BillThe Montgomery GI Bill may be used while on active duty.Veterans with a general discharge do not qualify and eligibilityexpires after 10 years. All participants must have a high schooldiploma. The full time rate for training, college, technical or vocationalschool is 1,368 a month for those who served three years or more ortwo years plus four years in the Selected Reserve. For those whoserved less than three years, the monthly rate is 1,111 as benefits arereduced for part time training. The maximum number ofmonths veterans can receive payments is 36 months at the full timerates or the part time equivalent.Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)For Veterans who served on active duty on October 9, 1996,participated in VEAP and contributed money to an account, or electedthe Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) by October 9, 1997 and paid 1,200.Veterans who participated in VEAP on or before October 9, 1996through April 1, 2000, elected MGIB by October 31, 2001, andcontributed 2,700 to MGIB.Post 9/11 GI BillThe Post 9/11 GI Bill is a new education program for servicemembers and Veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Benefits are payable for training pursued on or afterAugust 1, 2009. To be eligible,the service member or Veteranmust serve at least 90aggregate days on active dutyafter September 10, 2001, andremain on active duty or behonorably discharged fromactive duty status, releasedfrom active and placed on theretired list or temporarydisability retired list; releasedfrom active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet MarineCorps Reserve; released from active duty for further service in areserve component of the Armed Forces. Veterans may also qualify ifthey were honorably discharged from active duty for aservice-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days afterSept. 10, 2001.14
Generally, service members or Veterans may receive up to 36months of entitlement. Eligibility expires 15 years from the last periodof active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If released for aservice-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, eligibility ends 15 years from when the memberis released for the service-connected disability.Once the service member chooses to receive benefits under the NewGI Bill, the individual will no longer be eligible to receivebenefits under the relinquished program.Based on the length of service, eligible participants are entitled toreceive a percentage of the following:Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive instate undergraduate tuition at a public institution of highereducation (paid directly to the school)Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance forhousing payable to an E5 with dependents, determined by thezip code of the primary school. (Paid directly to the Veteran)Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to 1,000 per yearpaid to the veteran and a onetime payment of 500 paid tocertain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.To apply or for more information please visit: www.gibill.va.gov orcall 1-888-442-4551Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement ProgramThis program assists eligible students with payment of their tuition andfees in instances (private school) where costs exceed the mostexpensive in state undergraduate tuition at a public school. Studentmust be eligible to receive 100 percent of the benefits provided underthe Post 9/11 GI Bill.Work Study ProgramVeterans who are fulltime or 3/4 time students in a college degreeprogram, or a vocational or professional program, can “earn while youlearn” with a VA work-study allowance. The VA will selectstudents for the work-study program based on differentfactors including:Disability of studentAbility of student to complete the work-study contract beforethe end of education benefitsJob availability within normal commuting distance to thestudentVA will give highest priority to Veterans with serviceconnected disability or disabilities rated by VA at more than 30percent.15
The number of applicants selected will depend on the availability ofVA related work at your school or VA facilities in your area. For moreinformation, please visit www.gibill.va.gov/ pamphlets/wkstud.htm.Troops to TeachersThe Illinois Troops to Teachers Program can help eligibleveterans with at least six years of honorable service transition from amilitary background to K12 public school teaching. TheIllinois Troops to Teachers office provides:Educational and teachingcareer advisementInformation resources forearning state teachercertificationJob hunting assistanceIllinois Troops to Teachers can alsoprovide financial assistance of 5,000 to eligible veterans enrolledin a certification program or a bonus of up to 10,000 for teachers who serve a three-year commitment in any high-needs school across the state.For more information, call the Illinois Troops to Teachers Programmanager at 866-372-3157 or email at Troops.Teachers@illinois.gov orvisit www.iltroops.org or www.proudtoserveagain.comIllinois Veteran GrantThe Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) provides 120 units at any statesupported college or university to Veterans who entered militaryservice from the State of Illinois and returned to Illinois within sixmonths following discharge.For more information or to apply, please visit the Illinois StudentAssistance Commission at: www.collegezone.com/giftassist/753 1216.htmIllinois National Guard GrantProvides any enlisted person or lieutenant and captain with at least oneyear of service in the Illinois National Guard, with eight semesters or12 quarters of fulltime or part-time undergraduate study at any statecontrolled university or college. Please visit the Illinois StudentAssistance Commission website for more information at:www.collegezone.com/studentzone/1381.htm16
Children of Veterans Tuition WaiverEach county is awarded annually one honorary scholarship at theUniversity of Illinois, for the benefit of children of Veterans of WWI,WWII, Korea and Vietnam War periods, the Gulf War and the War onTerror with preference being given to the children of deceased anddisabled Veterans. Please visit their website at:www.osfa.uiuc.edu/aid/scholarships/waivers COV.htmlBright Start Fallen Heroes ScholarshipThe State will deposit 2,500 in a Bright Start account for each child ofa fallen service member who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom orEnduring Freedom upon the request of a surviving family member.For more information, please call your nearest service office /fallenheroes.aspxEducational Aid for children 10-18 years oldAid is available annually from the Illinois Department of Veterans’Affairs for children between the ages of 10 and 18 of a Veteran whodied or became totally disabled as a result of service in the ArmedForces.MIA/POW ScholarshipThis program is administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans’Affairs and is open to spouses, natural children, legally adoptedchildren, or stepchildren of eligible Veterans or service members. Theprogram provides four calendar years of full time enrollment to anystate controlled college or university.State Approving AgencyApproves higher education, apprenticeship, vocational, and on the jobtraining and license and certification programs covered under the GIBill. For more information visit www.veterans.illinois.gov/fedben.htmHigh school diplomas for WWII, Korea & Vietnam VeteransVeterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam may receive a high schooldiploma if they do not posses one and if they left high school in order toserve in the Armed Forces.Employment BenefitsVocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)The VR&E program assists Veterans who have service-connecteddisabilities obtain and maintain suitable employment. Independentliving services are also available for severely disabled Veterans who17
are not currently ready to seek employment. More informationis available at http://vetsuccess.gov/Veterans Preference for Federal JobsTo receive preference, a Veteran must have been discharged orreleased from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces under honorableconditions. Preference is also provided for certain widows andwidowers of deceased Veterans who died in the service suchas spouses of service-connected disabled Veterans and mothers ofVeterans who died under honorable conditions on active duty or havepermanent and total service-connected disabilities. For each of thesepreferences a specific criterion must be met.Jobs for VetsThe Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides atrained Veterans representative to help Veterans receive training andjob placement assistance. IDES and its partner agencies have a varietyof resources that can help veterans find jobs and transition back to thecivilian work force. Please visit the nearest IDES office or visit:www.ides.state.il.us/veterans/ default.aspEmployment Assistance for Air National GuardState employees receive 15 days of military leave per year and 60days of special training.State Employment PreferencePreference is given to honorably discharged Veterans when applyingfor state employment with Central Management Services (CMS). Visitwww.work.illinois.govVeterans Tax CreditThe State of Illinois provides a 1,200 tax credit to businesses that hirea Veteran. Visit: www.revenue.state.il.us/Businesses/ index.htmIllinois Reemployment RightsIllinois National Guard members called to active duty are protectedunder state law in addition to Federal Law unless performing stateactive duty in which case only State Law applies. For moreinformation, visit the Office of the State veterans.htmlTraumatic Brain Injury & Post Traumatic Stress DisorderTraumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have beencalled the signature wounds of the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts.They have been seen in other conflicts, but given the new more18
powerful explosives and excellent medical care our troops arereceiving in the field, the blasts are more powerful and more troops aresurviving blasts that would have killed soldiers in other conflicts.These two changes are creating a situation where the concussioncreated by intense pressurization and depressurization from theblasts are injuring soldiers in a different way that what as experiencedin earlier wars. PTSD has always been a problem, but is now moreprevalent because of repeated tours of duty for many troops. Theaforementioned events have created a situation where TBI and PTSDare taking their toll on our returning troops, and in many cases, theirfamilies as well. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at thefederal and state levels is focusing on an environment where earlydetection and early intervention support is practiced to make thetransition to civilian life as easy and productive as possible or both theveteran and the family.To this end, all OIF/OEF veterans are encouraged to take advantage ofthe Veterans Administration Health Care System. The VA is offeringthe OIF/OEF veteran five years of VA healthcare regardless offinancial or health status. You can contract the VA directly at 8008271000 or their web site at www.va.gov to find the nearest VA healthcarefacility.VA Health CareVA Health Services include:Services available to women Veterans include primary care,specialty care, mental health care and reproductive health careservicesI
Cook Downtown Chicago 312-814-3326 Southwest of Downtown Chicago 312-980-4513 South Side Chicago 773-363-9851 Northwest Side Chicago 773-292-7894 Chicago Heights 708-754-6403 Blue Island . The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR, The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected .
