Illinois Veterans: Healthcare Facilities, Education Benefits & Job Resources
Complete directory of Illinois VA medical centers, education programs, veteran employment resources, and support services across the state.
Illinois Veterans: Healthcare Facilities, Education Benefits & Job Resources
Illinois serves approximately 560,000 veterans - about 4.8% of the state's adult population. Whether you're transitioning to civilian life or already living in Illinois, you need to know what healthcare facilities, education benefits, and job opportunities are available.
This guide provides actual addresses, phone numbers, and actionable information for Illinois veterans.
Bottom Line Up Front
Healthcare: Illinois has 5 VA medical centers, 10+ community-based clinics, and 5 state veterans homes - one of the best VA healthcare networks in the Midwest
Education: FREE tuition at all Illinois public universities and colleges through the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) - this is one of the best state education benefits in the nation
Employment: State hiring preference, three major military installations (Rock Island Arsenal, Scott AFB, Great Lakes), strong defense contractor presence
Veteran Population Hotspots: Cook County (Chicago area - 180,000+), DuPage County (35,000+), Lake County (28,000+)
VA Healthcare Facilities in Illinois
VA Medical Centers
Illinois has an exceptional VA healthcare network with five full medical centers - more than most states.
1. Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
Address: 5000 S. 5th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141 Phone: (708) 202-8387 Emergency Care: 24/7 emergency department
Bed count: 471 beds (one of the largest VA facilities in the nation)
Services:
- Primary care
- Mental health services (comprehensive PTSD treatment)
- Surgery (general, orthopedic, cardiac, neurosurgery)
- Cardiology (including cardiac surgery)
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Spinal cord injury center
- Blind rehabilitation center (national program)
- Women's health
- Prosthetics
- Pharmacy
- Intensive care
Specialty programs:
- Blind Rehabilitation Center (one of 10 in VA system)
- Spinal Cord Injury Center (serves Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin)
- Polytrauma care
- PTSD residential rehabilitation
- Substance abuse treatment (inpatient and outpatient)
- Homeless veteran services
Location advantage: Just 12 miles west of downtown Chicago, easily accessible via I-290
Parking: Large parking lots available on-site
Rating: Hines is consistently rated above average for quality of care and patient satisfaction
2. Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago)
Address: 820 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612 Phone: (312) 569-8387 Main line: 1-800-827-0829
Bed count: 200+ beds
Services:
- Primary care
- Mental health
- Surgery (general, orthopedic)
- Cardiology
- Emergency care
- Women's health
- Dental services
- Audiology
- Physical therapy
- Pharmacy
- Laboratory services
- Radiology/imaging
Specialty programs:
- Hepatitis C treatment center
- HIV/AIDS care
- Homeless veteran programs
- Post-deployment health services
- Military sexual trauma treatment
Location advantage: Located in the Illinois Medical District, near University of Illinois Hospital
Public transit: Accessible via CTA Blue Line (stop: UIC-Halsted)
Parking: On-site parking available
3. Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago)
Address: 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 Phone: (847) 688-1900 Emergency: (800) 393-0865
Unique status: Joint VA/Navy medical facility - first of its kind in the nation
Services:
- Full medical and surgical services
- Mental health
- Emergency care
- Specialty care
- Women's health
- Primary care
- Rehabilitation services
Serves: Veterans and active-duty Navy personnel from Naval Station Great Lakes
Location advantage: Near Great Lakes Naval Station, serves Lake County and southern Wisconsin
4. Marion VA Medical Center
Address: 2401 W. Main Street, Marion, IL 62959 Phone: (618) 997-5311 Toll-free: 1-866-881-5578
Bed count: 55 beds
Services:
- Primary care
- Mental health (extensive PTSD programs)
- Substance abuse treatment
- Post-traumatic rehabilitation
- Medical and surgical services
- Specialty care
- Pharmacy
- Laboratory
Specialty programs:
- Residential PTSD treatment (one of the premier programs in VA system)
- Substance abuse residential program
- Mental health intensive case management
Location advantage: Serves southern Illinois and parts of Kentucky, Indiana
Service area: 53 counties in southern Illinois
5. VA Illiana Health Care System (Danville)
Address: 1900 E. Main Street, Danville, IL 61832 Phone: (217) 554-3000 Toll-free: 1-800-320-8387
Bed count: 200 beds
Services:
- Primary care
- Mental health
- Surgery
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Hospice and palliative care
- Women's health
- Rehabilitation
- Pharmacy
Specialty programs:
- Geriatric and extended care
- Hospice care
- Mental health residential rehabilitation
Service area: Eastern Illinois and western Indiana
Note: Oversees 5 community-based outpatient clinics (Bloomington, Decatur, Mattoon, Peoria, Springfield)
Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
Bob Michel VA Outpatient Clinic (Peoria)
Address: 7717 North Orange Prairie Road, Peoria, IL 61615 Phone: (309) 671-7350
Services: Primary care, mental health, laboratory, pharmacy, podiatry, neurology
Counties served: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark
Springfield VA Clinic
Address: 5850 South 6th Street, Suite A, Springfield, IL 62703 Phone: (217) 492-4955
Services: Primary care, mental health, laboratory
Counties served: Sangamon, Logan, Menard, Christian
Bloomington VA Clinic
Address: 2303 E. Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61704 Phone: (309) 663-0043
Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth
Counties served: McLean, DeWitt, Livingston
Decatur VA Clinic
Address: 3035 N. Water Street, Decatur, IL 62526 Phone: (217) 876-3480
Services: Primary care, mental health
Counties served: Macon, Moultrie, Shelby
Mattoon VA Clinic
Address: 1635 Lake Land Boulevard, Mattoon, IL 61938 Phone: (217) 258-3384
Services: Primary care, mental health
Counties served: Coles, Douglas, Edgar
Joliet VA Clinic
Address: 2000 Glenwood Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435 Phone: (815) 740-8000
Services: Primary care, mental health, laboratory
Counties served: Will, Grundy, Kendall
Aurora VA Clinic
Address: 1700 North Farnsworth Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505 Phone: (630) 585-0148
Services: Primary care, mental health
Counties served: Kane, southern DuPage
LaSalle VA Clinic
Address: 1900 N. Columbus Street, Ottawa, IL 61350 Phone: (815) 431-9101
Services: Primary care, mental health
Counties served: LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam
Evanston VA Clinic
Address: 1900 Hollister Drive, Libertyville, IL 60048 Phone: (224) 653-1300
Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth
Counties served: Lake County
Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)
Vet Centers provide free counseling for combat veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and bereaved family members. No VA enrollment required.
Chicago Vet Center Address: 7731 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60620 Phone: (773) 962-3740
Chicago Heights Vet Center Address: 1600 Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Phone: (708) 754-0340
Peoria Vet Center Address: 8305 N. Allen Road, Peoria, IL 61615 Phone: (309) 689-9708
Springfield Vet Center Address: 1227 South Ninth Street, Springfield, IL 62703 Phone: (217) 492-4955
East St. Louis Vet Center Address: 1265 N. 89th Street, Suite 5, East St. Louis, IL 62203 Phone: (618) 397-6602
Rockford Vet Center Address: 7015 Rote Road, Rockford, IL 61107 Phone: (815) 395-1276
Services: PTSD counseling, substance abuse counseling, employment counseling, family counseling, bereavement counseling, sexual trauma counseling
No appointment needed for crisis counseling
How to Enroll in VA Healthcare
Online: va.gov/health-care/apply Phone: 1-877-222-VETS (8387) In person: Visit any VA medical center or clinic with your DD-214
Documents needed:
- DD-214 (discharge paperwork)
- Social Security card
- Insurance information (if you have other coverage)
- Income information (for copay determination)
Best practice: Enroll as soon as you separate from active duty, even if you have other insurance. This locks in your eligibility and priority group.
State Veterans Homes (Long-Term Care)
Illinois operates five state veterans homes providing skilled nursing and memory care - these are excellent facilities at affordable costs.
1. Illinois Veterans' Home at Anna
Address: 1 Veterans Drive, Anna, IL 62906 Phone: (618) 833-6302
Capacity: 218 beds Services: Light, intermediate, and skilled nursing care; domiciliary (independent living)
Campus: 16 acres in southern Illinois
2. Illinois Veterans' Home at Chicago
Address: 8530 W. Forest Preserve Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: (773) 379-3500
Capacity: 200 beds (newest facility - opened January 2022) Services: Skilled nursing care, memory care
Features: All private rooms with bathrooms - state-of-the-art facility
Location: Northwest Chicago, near O'Hare airport
3. Illinois Veterans' Home at LaSalle
Address: 1015 O'Conor Avenue, LaSalle, IL 61301 Phone: (815) 223-0303
Capacity: 200 beds (including 40 special needs beds) Services: Intermediate and skilled nursing, Alzheimer's/dementia care
Campus: 4+ acres in LaSalle County
4. Illinois Veterans' Home at Manteno
Address: 1 Veterans Drive, Manteno, IL 60950 Phone: (815) 468-6581
Capacity: 260 beds Services: Skilled nursing, memory care
Campus: 122 acres in Kankakee County
5. Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy
Address: 1707 N. 12th Street, Quincy, IL 62301 Phone: (217) 222-8641
Capacity: 418 beds (largest in Illinois) Services: Skilled nursing, intermediate care, domiciliary (independent living)
History: Founded 1886 - oldest state veterans home in Illinois
Campus: 210 acres overlooking the Mississippi River
Eligibility for State Veterans Homes
Who qualifies:
- Veterans who served in U.S. Armed Forces and received other than dishonorable discharge
- Spouses of eligible veterans (at some facilities)
- Gold Star parents (at some facilities)
Cost: Sliding scale based on income
- VA aid and attendance benefits can help cover costs
- Medicaid accepted
- Private pay rates competitive with civilian nursing homes
How to apply: Contact facility directly or download applications at veterans.illinois.gov
Education Benefits for Illinois Veterans
Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) - FREE TUITION
This is Illinois's flagship education benefit and one of the best state veteran education programs in the entire nation.
What it covers: Tuition and mandatory fees at ALL Illinois public universities, colleges, and community colleges
Cost to you: $0 for tuition at public schools
Eligibility:
- Served at least one year of federal active duty OR
- Served in foreign country during time of hostilities and honorably discharged OR
- Currently serving on active duty
AND
- Illinois resident 6 months prior to entering active duty OR
- Returned to Illinois within 6 months of separation
How long: Equivalent of 4 academic years of full-time enrollment (120 credit hours)
Applies to: Undergraduate AND graduate programs
Qualifying schools (all Illinois public institutions):
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, Springfield)
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Edwardsville)
- Eastern Illinois University
- Western Illinois University
- Governors State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Chicago State University
- All 48 Illinois community colleges
- All other public universities
How to stack with GI Bill: You can use both!
Example:
- IVG covers tuition at University of Illinois: $0 out-of-pocket
- Post-9/11 GI Bill provides BAH: ~$1,400/month in Champaign-Urbana
- Total benefit: Free tuition + $1,400/month living allowance
This is massive. Illinois is one of only a handful of states offering completely free tuition at public universities for veterans.
How to Apply for Illinois Veteran Grant
Application: One-time application via ISAC Student Portal
Website: isac.org
Phone: (800) 899-4722
Required documents:
- DD-214 (all periods of service)
- Proof of Illinois residency
- College enrollment verification
Processing time: Approximately 12 weeks - apply early!
Deadline: Must apply with sufficient time for processing before last day of classes in term
Important: Once approved, you receive an IVG Notice of Eligibility. Present this to your school's financial aid office.
GPA requirement: Must maintain minimum GPA required by your institution (typically 2.0)
2025-26 funding: $6 million appropriated for IVG program
In-State Tuition for Veterans (Choice Act)
Under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA), veterans using GI Bill benefits qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois public schools regardless of how long you've lived in Illinois.
Eligibility:
- Using Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill
- Living in Illinois while attending school
- Enrolling within 3 years of discharge
Benefit: Eliminates out-of-state tuition surcharge (typically $15,000-25,000/year)
Combined with IVG: If you're eligible for IVG, this is less relevant since IVG covers full tuition anyway. But if you exhaust IVG or don't qualify, in-state tuition saves thousands.
Post-9/11 GI Bill - Yellow Ribbon Schools
While IVG covers tuition at public schools, some Illinois schools participate in Yellow Ribbon for private schools or graduate programs:
Northwestern University
Yellow Ribbon: Yes Slots: Varies by program Benefit: Covers gap between GI Bill and private tuition (Northwestern tuition: ~$65,000/year)
Veteran Services: (847) 491-7110 Website: northwestern.edu/sfs
DePaul University
Yellow Ribbon: Yes Slots: Unlimited for undergraduate, limited for graduate Benefit: Full coverage of tuition gap
Veteran Services: (312) 362-8437
Loyola University Chicago
Yellow Ribbon: Yes Slots: Varies Benefit: Partial to full coverage
Note: Most Illinois veterans should use IVG at public schools rather than Yellow Ribbon at private schools, as IVG provides equal or better benefits at zero cost.
Top GI Bill Schools in Illinois (by Veteran Enrollment)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - 2,000+ student veterans
- University of Illinois at Chicago - 1,500+
- Northern Illinois University - 1,200+
- Illinois State University - 1,100+
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale - 900+
- Northwestern University - 800+
- DePaul University - 700+
- College of DuPage (community college) - 650+
- Triton College (community college) - 600+
- Harper College (community college) - 550+
All public schools on this list: Free tuition via IVG
Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver
Eligibility: Children of certain categories of veterans (POW, MIA, killed in action, 100% disabled)
Benefit: Tuition waiver at Illinois public universities
How it differs from IVG: This is for dependents, not the veteran themselves
Contact: Individual university financial aid offices for application
Employment Resources for Illinois Veterans
State Hiring Preference
Illinois law (20 ILCS 415/8b.7) grants veterans significant advantages in state employment.
What you get:
- 3 points added to passing exam scores for qualified veterans
- Absolute appointment preference within a given grade
- Priority consideration for state jobs
Who qualifies:
- Veterans who served at least 6 months with honorable discharge OR
- Discharged based on hardship or service-connected disability
How it works: If you meet minimum qualifications and pass the exam, your veteran status gives you priority over non-veteran applicants with similar scores.
Where to apply: illinois.gov/jobs or contact Illinois Department of Central Management Services
Job categories: State government positions across all departments and agencies
Illinois Department of Employment Security - Veterans Services
Phone: (217) 785-6006 Email: DES.MyVetRep@illinois.gov
Services:
- Job search assistance
- Resume writing
- Interview preparation
- Referrals to veteran-friendly employers
- Apprenticeship programs
- On-the-job training programs
- Priority access to job openings
Illinois JobLink: illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov - veterans receive priority access
American Job Centers: 30+ locations statewide providing full employment services
Major Military Installations (Employment Opportunities)
Rock Island Arsenal (Army)
Location: Rock Island, IL (on Mississippi River) Civilian employees: ~6,000 Military personnel: ~250
Major tenants:
- Army Sustainment Command
- First Army
- Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center
- Joint Munitions Command
- Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District
Typical jobs: Logistics, engineering, manufacturing, program management, IT, acquisition
How to apply: usajobs.gov - search "Rock Island, Illinois"
Veteran preference: Federal hiring preference applies (5-10 points on applications)
Scott Air Force Base
Location: Belleville, IL (near St. Louis) Personnel: ~13,000 military and civilian
Major tenants:
- Air Mobility Command (headquarters)
- U.S. Transportation Command
- 375th Air Mobility Wing
Typical jobs: Logistics, transportation, IT, intelligence, engineering, air traffic control
Civilian jobs: usajobs.gov - search "Scott Air Force Base"
Local economy impact: Scott AFB contributes nearly $1 billion annually to Illinois economy
Naval Station Great Lakes
Location: North Chicago, IL Personnel: ~35,000 (including trainees)
Mission: U.S. Navy's only boot camp; largest military training installation
Major tenants:
- Recruit Training Command
- Naval Service Training Command
- Navy Medicine Training Support Center
Typical civilian jobs: Training support, IT, healthcare, facilities management
How to apply: usajobs.gov - search "Great Lakes"
Defense Contractors and Veteran-Friendly Employers
Defense Contractors (Chicago Area)
Boeing (various Illinois locations) Programs: Defense systems, aerospace Veteran programs: SkillBridge partnership, Veteran Talent Community Typical roles: Engineering, program management, manufacturing Website: jobs.boeing.com
Northrop Grumman (Rolling Meadows, Lake Forest) Programs: Defense electronics, IT systems Typical roles: Engineering, cybersecurity, systems integration Veteran programs: Active recruiting, military skills translator
Raytheon Technologies (various locations) Typical roles: Engineering, project management, IT
General Dynamics IT (Bloomington, various) Programs: IT services, cybersecurity Typical roles: IT, cybersecurity, systems administration
SAIC (various locations) Programs: IT, engineering, technical services Typical roles: IT, intelligence analysis, engineering
Leidos (various locations) Programs: Defense IT, logistics Typical roles: IT, program management, logistics
CACI (various locations) Programs: Intelligence, IT Typical roles: Intelligence analysis, IT, cybersecurity
Major Civilian Employers Hiring Veterans
Amazon (Aurora, Joliet, Edwardsville, multiple warehouses) Veteran programs: Military Talent Team, Warriors affinity group Typical roles: Logistics, operations, management Website: amazon.jobs/en/military
Caterpillar (Peoria - headquarters) Programs: Heavy equipment, engines, technology Veteran programs: Military recruiting, leadership development Typical roles: Engineering, manufacturing, operations, sales
Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, various) Programs: Healthcare, medical devices, pharmaceuticals Veteran programs: Military hiring initiative Typical roles: Manufacturing, R&D, quality, sales
John Deere (Moline, various) Programs: Agricultural equipment, construction Veteran programs: Military recruitment Typical roles: Engineering, manufacturing, IT
State Farm Insurance (Bloomington - headquarters) Programs: Insurance, financial services Veteran programs: Active military recruitment Typical roles: Claims, IT, customer service, management
Walgreens (Deerfield - headquarters, stores statewide) Veteran programs: Commitment to hiring 50,000+ military community members Typical roles: Pharmacy, retail management, logistics, IT
United Airlines (Chicago - headquarters) Veteran programs: Military skills translation, pilot pathway programs Typical roles: Pilots, mechanics, operations, IT, customer service
McDonald's Corporation (Chicago - headquarters) Veteran programs: Archways to Opportunity education benefit Typical roles: Restaurant management, corporate positions, IT
Healthcare Employers
Northwestern Medicine - Chicago area Rush University Medical Center - Chicago Advocate Aurora Health - Multiple locations Loyola Medicine - Maywood, Chicago area OSF HealthCare - Peoria, central Illinois Carle Health - Champaign-Urbana
Many healthcare systems actively recruit veterans with medical training and offer leadership development programs.
Apprenticeship Programs
Illinois Registered Apprenticeship programs offer paid on-the-job training in skilled trades:
Common programs:
- Electrical work
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Industrial maintenance
- Carpentry
- Sheet metal work
- Pipefitting
GI Bill benefits: Can be used for apprenticeships, providing monthly housing allowance on top of apprenticeship wages
Example: Electrician apprentice earning $25/hour + $1,200/month GI Bill BAH = significant income while training
Contact: Illinois Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship Phone: (217) 785-0259 Website: illinois.gov/dceo/apprenticeship
Unemployment Benefits for Veterans
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX): Available if you separated from active duty in the last 18 months
Who qualifies: Honorably discharged veterans recently separated from active duty
How much: Based on military pay (typically 40-50% of base pay)
Duration: Up to 26 weeks
Contact: Illinois Department of Employment Security Phone: 1-800-244-5631 Website: ides.illinois.gov
Priority service: Veterans receive priority access to all employment services at Illinois job centers
Support Services
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
VSOs provide free assistance with VA claims, appeals, and benefits navigation.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters: 833 S. Spring Street, Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: (217) 782-6641 Toll-free: 1-800-437-9824 Website: veterans.illinois.gov
Services: VA claims assistance, benefits counseling, state benefits information, veterans homes applications
Regional Offices:
Chicago Regional Office 814 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: (312) 814-2460
Evanston Regional Office 1700 Park Street, Suite 101, Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: (847) 492-0444
County Veterans Service Officers: Available in every Illinois county - find yours at veterans.illinois.gov
Other VSOs with Illinois presence:
- American Legion - Chapters throughout Illinois
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Posts statewide
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Chapters in major cities
- Vietnam Veterans of America - Multiple chapters
- AMVETS - Illinois chapters
- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) - Chicago chapter
Homeless Veteran Programs
VA Homeless Programs Hotline: 1-877-424-3838
HUD-VASH: Housing vouchers paired with VA case management (available through all VA medical centers)
Grant and Per Diem Program: Transitional housing in Chicago, Peoria, Springfield, and other cities
Stand Down Events: Annual events in Chicago and other cities providing services, clothing, medical care, benefits enrollment
Chicago-specific resources:
- Heartland Alliance - Veteran housing programs
- Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans - Wheaton, IL
- HVAF of Illinois - Multiple locations
Mental Health Resources
Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1 (24/7) Text: 838255 Online chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net
Confidential, immediate help for veterans in crisis or emotional distress
Vet Centers (listed earlier) provide free counseling for:
- PTSD
- Depression
- Military sexual trauma
- Readjustment issues
- Substance abuse
- Combat trauma
- Family counseling
No VA enrollment required for Vet Center services
Legal Assistance
Illinois Attorney General Veterans Helpline Phone: 1-800-382-3000 Email: VeteransRights@atg.state.il.us
Services: Help with discharge upgrades, benefits appeals, consumer protection, legal referrals
Military and Veterans Legal Clinic at Chicago-Kent College of Law Phone: (312) 906-5000
Services: Free legal help for veterans with discharge upgrades, VA claims, and other legal issues
Illinois State Bar Association Veterans Legal Assistance Find pro bono attorneys for veterans legal matters
County and Regional Veteran Resources
Cook County (Chicago Metro)
- Veteran population: 180,000+
- VA Medical Centers: Hines, Jesse Brown Chicago
- VA Clinics: Multiple CBOCs
- Vet Centers: Chicago, Chicago Heights
- State Veterans Home: Illinois Veterans' Home at Chicago (new facility)
- Major employers: Boeing, United Airlines, Amazon, numerous defense contractors
Cook County Veterans Service Office 118 N. Clark Street, Room 1108, Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 603-4132
DuPage County
- Veteran population: 35,000+
- VA Clinic: Aurora CBOC
- Major employers: Argonne National Laboratory, BP North America, defense contractors
DuPage County Veterans Assistance Commission 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 Phone: (630) 407-6500
Lake County
- Veteran population: 28,000+
- VA Medical Center: Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago)
- VA Clinic: Libertyville
- Major employers: Great Lakes Naval Station, Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International
Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission 1 N. Genesee Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3377
Will County
- Veteran population: 25,000+
- VA Clinic: Joliet CBOC
- Major employers: Amazon, Caterpillar, logistics companies
Will County Veterans Assistance Commission 1100 S. Rohlwing Road, Suite B, Addison, IL 60101 Phone: (630) 620-6706
Kane County
- Veteran population: 20,000+
- VA Clinic: Aurora CBOC
- Major employers: Rush-Copley Medical Center, Northern Illinois University
Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission 1000 N. Randall Road, Suite 100, St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: (630) 208-5755
Winnebago County (Rockford)
- Veteran population: 15,000+
- Vet Center: Rockford
- Major employers: UTC Aerospace, Woodward, manufacturers
Winnebago County Veterans Assistance Commission 500 Park Avenue, Suite 200, Loves Park, IL 61111 Phone: (815) 987-7891
Sangamon County (Springfield)
- Veteran population: 12,000+
- VA Clinic: Springfield CBOC
- Vet Center: Springfield
- Major employers: State of Illinois, hospitals, insurance
Sangamon County Veterans Assistance Commission 3 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701 Phone: (217) 535-3195
Champaign County
- Veteran population: 8,000+
- Major employers: University of Illinois, healthcare, tech companies
Champaign County Veterans Assistance Commission 1776 E. Washington Street, Urbana, IL 61802 Phone: (217) 384-3784
Peoria County
- Veteran population: 10,000+
- VA Clinic: Peoria (Bob Michel CBOC)
- Vet Center: Peoria
- Major employers: Caterpillar (headquarters), OSF Healthcare
Peoria County Veterans Assistance Commission 324 Main Street, Room 505, Peoria, IL 61602 Phone: (309) 495-4260
Key Takeaways
- Enroll in VA healthcare immediately - Illinois has 5 VA medical centers and 10+ clinics - excellent coverage
- Use the Illinois Veteran Grant - FREE tuition at all public universities and colleges - one of the best state benefits in America
- Leverage state hiring preference - 3 points added to exam scores for state jobs
- Target military installations and defense contractors - Rock Island Arsenal, Scott AFB, Great Lakes offer thousands of civilian jobs
- Connect with your county Veterans Assistance Commission - Free help claiming every benefit you've earned
Illinois genuinely supports its veteran population with tangible, valuable benefits - especially the free tuition program which can be worth $50,000-150,000+ depending on the degree you pursue.
Additional Resources
- Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs: (217) 782-6641 | veterans.illinois.gov
- Illinois Veteran Grant: (800) 899-4722 | isac.org/ivg
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital: (708) 202-8387
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center: (312) 569-8387
- VA Illiana Health Care: (217) 554-3000
- Illinois JobLink (Veteran Jobs): illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov
- GI Bill School Search: benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison
Information current as of January 2025. Contact facilities directly to verify hours, services, and eligibility requirements.