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1. Article number 1 - Donate to Veterans Cash
2. Article number 2 - Illinois Joining Forces
3. Article number 3 - Stand Up and Be Counted
4. Article number 4 - Get Covered Illinois

• Donate to Veterans Cash

  Now, Illinois citizens can contribute to Veterans Cash Grants year-round, not just when the Vets Cash lottery ticket is sold in stores each November! We have developed a site to facilitate contributions from Illinois citizens directly to the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund (VAF), the same fund to which proceeds of the Illinois “Veterans Cash” lottery game are deposited. All monies contributed via this VAF link will be granted by the Veterans Cash Grant Committee to help Illinois veterans in the following areas of need: post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, long-term care, disability benefits, health insurance costs, and employment assistance. Grants are awarded to qualifying public and non-profit organizations serving veterans directly in these areas. We hope you will find this service convenient and easy to use. Thank you for your contribution to empower our veterans to thrive back here in Illinois as they did in uniform!

• Illinois Joining Forces

  Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) is a joint Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and Department of Military Affairs (DMA) effort designed to better serve veterans, service members, and their families throughout the state. IJF will bring together, under a common umbrella, a field force of public, non-profit, and volunteer organizations in order to continually foster increased awareness of available resources and better partnership and collaboration between participating organizations. Illinois Joining Forces will establish a state-wide public and private organizational network that will identify, collaborate, and marshal available resources and services in order to create efficient access and delivery of these programs to the State’s military and veteran communities.

• Stand Up and Be Counted

  The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is here to help you navigate the many federal, state, and local resources and benefits available to veterans. Whether you have a specific question or would simply like us to help identify programs and benefits for which you may be eligible, our Veteran Service Officers are standing by to help.

  By Standing Up to Be Counted, you will also be assisting your fellow veterans by helping IDVA and the entire veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of who and where Illinois' veterans are. This will help us plan for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding and facilities, and generally serve Illinois' veterans better.

• Get Covered Illinois

  Get Covered Illinois (GCI) is the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace for Illinois residents. Illinois consumers should explore www.getcoveredillinois.gov today, whether they are currently uninsured, are actively looking to make a change in their healthcare plan, or just want to learn more about their options. All marketplace plans include essential health benefits –prescription drug coverage, preventive screenings and regular and emergency care. There are affordable options available to fit every budget. Choosing the right coverage is an important and complicated decision and Illinoisans should know that there is staff available to assist them through the process. The deadline to enroll is March 31st, 2014, so please tell your friends, family, clients and colleagues to enroll today at www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call 1-866-311-1119.