Helping Our Hometown Heroes
There are numerous benefits Illinois Veterans have earned and are entitled to receive and are not always aware of how to access them. Helping Our Hometown Heroes assists Illinois Veterans with information on those issues from a variety of vendors, including Social Security, healthcare, housing, unemployment benefits, and specialty programs available for minority, women, disabled and homeless veterans.
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.
The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program provides confidential assistance for Illinois Veterans as they transition back to their everyday lives after serving our country. Health professionals are there to help.
Military Records
Assisting veterans to obtain a set of duplicate military awards, acquire copies of their service records and service treatment records, submit discharge document upgrades, and request updates to their DD-214’s, such as the receipt of a campaign medal after discharge.
Mission: Veterans 2 Entrepreneurs (MV2E) is an IDVA and CMS jointly-led initiative (originally launched in June 2012) that brings together pertinent government agencies, educational institutions, trade associations, business sector experts, and employers to educate returning servicemembers and veterans regarding resources and advancement opportunities available to veteran-owned businesses.
Veterans Assistance Fund
Veterans Care
The Veterans Care Program is designed to provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare to Illinois' uninsured veterans. The program covers those veterans who have the least access to reliable healthcare. These are the veterans who cannot currently access Veterans Health Administration's benefits and who meet specific income requirements.
Veterans Cash is the Lottery's first lottery ticket where 100 percent of proceeds go to support Illinois veterans.
Veteran Homes
All four Illinois Veterans’ Homes are fully staffed with caring and dedicated professionals who provide quality long-term skilled care and services to resident members. Volunteers from veteran service organizations and the local community provide many additional supporting services and activities to the veterans.
Veteran of the Month
The Veteran of the Month award program highlights and honors the work of Illinois veterans whose contributions in service to the veteran community and their local communities are truly above and beyond.