Illinois Veteran Benefits

Military pay that is included in a service member's federal adjusted gross income (AGI) may be subtracted from their Illinois gross income, including:

Illinois does not tax military retired pay. Illinois Department of Revenue Publications

Illinois does not tax government disability plans. Illinois Department of Revenue, Publication 120 Illinois Department of Revenue Publications

Illinois does not tax government retirement plans. Illinois Department of Revenue Publications

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

RVHE provides service members returning from a deployment a $5,000 reduction of their homes equalized assessed value. Service members must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces in an armed conflict to be eligible.

DVSHE provides a reduction in a property's equalized assessed value (EAV) of a property owned by a Veteran who has a service-connected disability. The property's total EAV must be less than $250,000 to be eligible for this exemption.

Illinois offers a $100,000 reduction in the assessed value of the residence of a total and permanent service-connected disabled Veteran who received federal, state, or charitable organization financial assistance to purchase or modify a home to accommodate their disabilities.

Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits that are federally taxed.

The ING Grant Program will pay tuition and certain fees (registration, graduation, general activity, matriculation and term fees) for undergraduate or graduate study for eligible Illinois National Guard Service members. Benefits can only be used at an Illinois two or four year public college.

Illinois offers an annual $250 educational grant to the children of certain Veterans. The grant may be used to offset expenses at a state elementary school, middle school, high school, home school, or vocational school.

Illinois provides an educational scholarship at Illinois state supported colleges or universities for the dependents of certain Veterans. The scholarship will pay full tuition and mandatory fees for up to 4 years of enrollment, including summer terms.

IVG pays tuition and mandatory fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for eligible Illinois Veterans. Who is eligible for the IVG? To be eligible Veterans must meet the following requirements:

Illinois counties are authorized to award one annual scholarship to the University of Illinois to the children of Veterans of World War I, World War II, Korean and Vietnam Conflicts and any time on or after August 2, 1990.

Illinois institutions of higher education will award academic credits for a service member's or Veteran's military education and training

The Illinois UI program is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

IMFRF provides monetary grants to resident service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Illinois offers bonuses to Veterans or service members who are still serving in the U.S. Armed Forces for service during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, the Global War on Terrorism, or was declared a Prisoner of War.

Illinois offers a $3000 death benefit payable to survivors of a service member who was killed in action by a terrorist act or hostile activities during a period they were eligible for a campaign or service medal.

Illinois offers a $1000 death benefit to survivors of a Vietnam Veteran whose death is determined to be service-connected by the VA. The Veteran must have been a resident of Illinois for one year immediately prior to entering the U.S.

Illinois resident Veterans who served abroad or were mobilized to federal active duty can purchase an Illinois fishing license, hunting license or Sportsman's Combination License for half price.

A service member who entered the U.S. Armed Forces from Illinois and is an Illinois resident may hunt and fish without a license while they are on leave. Hunters are still required to purchase a Federal Waterfowl Stamp and Illinois Habitat Stamp. Illinois Fishing Regulations

Fishing and hunting licenses are not required for disabled Veterans (regardless of state of residence) who have a 10% or greater service-connected disability rating from the VA. Disabled Veterans are also exempt from purchasing a Habitat Stamp.

Illinois resident disabled Veterans and former POWs are eligible for free camping and admission at Illinois State Parks . The spouse, minor children, and grandchildren (under 18 years old) accompanying the Veteran are also eligible.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) in partnership with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services provides training and outreach to new and established entrepreneurs.

IVBP encourages state agencies and universities to spend at least 3% of their procurement budgets with certified Veteran-owned businesses. State contracts are available for:

The Illinois Department of Employment Security's (IDES) helps Veterans find sustaining and meaningful employment. Illinois American Job Center staff provide Veterans with priority of service for employment and training services at offices located throughout the state.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) provides VA Work Study opportunities at their numerous offices throughout Illinois. The VA Work Study Program provides part-time employment to students receiving VA education benefits who attend school three-quarter time or more.

Reserve component service members who are employees of the Illinois state government, local government, public institutions of higher education, or a school district must be granted leave from their public employment when they are ordered to active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Illinois law requires employers to grant family military leave to the spouse, parent, child or grandparent of service members while they are on state or federal deployment orders.

SAA approves college and non-college degree programs, vocational flight training, apprenticeships and other on-the-job training so that federal educational assistance benefits may be paid to Veterans and other eligible persons under programs administered by the VA.

Illinois offers Veteran preference when hiring for state employment to eligible service members, Veterans and certain family members. Preference is given by adding points to passing grades.

ISERRA ensures Illinois service members' jobs and benefits are protected while they are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. ISERRA also helps provide information and training for employers across Illinois. Illinois Compiled Statutes, 330-61

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reviews applications for an EMT license from honorably discharged service members with military emergency medical training for information that clearly demonstrates that their training and experience meets licensing standards.

10 points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

Illinois National Guard Service members serving on state active duty are eligible for compensation under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act for illness, injury, disability or death that occurs in the line of duty.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Illinois Veterans Care Health Insurance Program provides comprehensive, affordable healthcare to uninsured low income Veterans who have the least access to reliable healthcare and cannot access VA health care.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Prince Home at Manteno is a residential program for homeless and disabled Veterans.

The Illinois County Veterans Assistance Commission will provide $900 to honorably discharged needy Veterans, their parents, spouse, surviving spouse, or minor children when they do not have enough money to pay for funeral expenses.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains 11 national cemeteries in Illinois. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Illinois offers a "Veteran" designation on Illinois driver's licenses and ID cards to honorably discharged Veterans. This designation can serve as proof of a Veteran's eligibility for services and benefits.

Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces outside of Illinois and their dependents may drive with an expired license for up to 120 days after their return to the state.

Illinois offers 44 distinctive license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members, and certain family members. Specific eligibility and documentation requirements will apply.

Resident Medal of Honor recipients are eligible for the Illinois Medal of Honor license plate. There is no cost for the first set of plates.

Resident Purple Heart recipients are eligible for the Illinois Purple Heart license plate. The surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient may request or retain this license (must transfer the registration within 180 days of the death of the Veteran).

Resident Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA and have mobility issues certified by a licensed physician are eligible for the Illinois Disabled Veteran license plate. Vehicles displaying these plates may park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.

Resident Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA of 50% or more, but do not qualify for a Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard/License Plate are eligible for the Illinois Disabled Veteran (ISERVE) license plate. The first set of these license plates are issued free.

Resident Veterans who served in the U.S. Army are eligible for the Illinois U.S. Army Veteran license plate. The surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran may retain this license plate (must transfer the registration within 180 days of the death of the Veteran).

The Illinois Gold Star License plate is available for the immediate family members of a service member who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Illinois Gold Star license plate is offered to

The Skills Waiver option is available to service members who have military commercial driving training and experience but do not have the Military Occupational Skills/Ratings for the Even Exchange option.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) maintains military records for many Illinois Veterans. If a Veteran's records are not on file with the IDVA, Illinois Veteran Service Offices can assist them when requesting a certified copy from the National Personnel Records Center in St.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides food specifically for needy Veterans at the Hines VA Hospital, 5000 S. 5 th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141, Auditorium Lobby Building 9; Every Thursday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

CTA allows active duty service members and Veterans who have a qualifying service-connected disability to ride CTA for free.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) will pay up to $125 for the transportation and setting of a government provided headstone or marker. This payment is made only after the headstone or marker has been received, placed, and local transportation and installation fees have been paid.

The Illinois Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program assesses the strengths and needs of Veteran offenders within 18 months of their release and helps them integrate back into society. The program is currently offered at 14 detention facilities:

Illinois offers a State Specially Adapted Housing Grant for Veterans who are eligible for the VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant .

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Illinois enter Illinois in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.