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Overall Rating: 78/100 · 560,000 veterans (4.8% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Illinois veterans-affairs and tax-authority sources.
Benefit details verified January 2025. Tax exemptions, caps, and eligibility change and can vary by county — always confirm current figures with your county assessor and your Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
100% exempt since 2022
2.2% average effective rate
Full exemption (70%+)
70%+ = total exemption (capped $250k EAV ≈ a $750k home). 50–69% = $5,000 EAV; 30–49% = $2,500 EAV; under 30% nothing.
Source ↗No veteran-specific exemptions
$50,000
VA Medical Center
5000 S. 5th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141
(708) 202-8387
471 beds, blind rehabilitation center, spinal cord injury
VA Medical Center
820 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 569-8387
200+ beds, downtown Chicago, CTA accessible
VA Medical Center
3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064
(847) 688-1900
Joint VA/Navy facility (first in nation)
VA Medical Center
2401 W. Main Street, Marion, IL 62959
(618) 997-5311
Premier PTSD residential program
Free tuition
FREE tuition at all IL public universities/colleges
4-year value: $60,000
Median Home
$150,000
1BR Rent
$700/mo
COL Index
75
Unemployment
6.8%
Major employers: State of Illinois (15K+ jobs with veteran preference)
Pros: Most affordable ($150K median), state jobs with veteran preference
Cons: Limited VA specialty care, smaller job market
Median Home
$585,000
1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
COL Index
106
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: Argonne National Lab, BP, OfficeMax
Pros: #1 city in America (Niche 2025), excellent schools, close to Hines VA
Cons: Very expensive ($585K median), high property taxes
Median Home
$185,000
1BR Rent
$800/mo
COL Index
85
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: University of Illinois (15K+ employees), Carle Health
Pros: Affordable, FREE UIUC tuition via IVG ($30K+/year value)
Cons: No VA clinic in city, college town atmosphere
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$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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Qualified veterans receive additional preference points added to a passing score of 70 on Original Entry examinations for State of Illinois jobs; military documents must be officially certified. Spouses and parents of qualifying veterans may also earn points.
Official source ↗Veterans receiving 10% or greater service-connected compensation or a total disability pension get a free hunting and fishing license (one-time issue, no expiration). Requires DD214 and a Disability Affidavit from IDVA.
Official source ↗Illinois disabled veterans and former prisoners of war may camp and enter Illinois DNR parks free of charge; a Disability Certification Card must be presented to park staff.
Official source ↗Free first set of ISERVE plates for veterans with a VA-certified service-connected disability declared 50% or more; plates also allow parking in accessible spaces.
Official source ↗Available to veterans with a military-service disability certified by a licensed physician as qualifying for a disabled plate; authorizes parking in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
Official source ↗IDVA operates veterans' homes at Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy offering domiciliary living and 24/7 skilled nursing care. Eligibility requires an honorable discharge, at least one day of active duty, and Illinois service credit or one year of Illinois residency; Anna and Quincy also serve qualifying spouses.
Official source ↗An unmarried surviving spouse of a service member killed in the line of duty is exempt from property taxes on their primary residence; an unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran may continue or transfer the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities.
Official source ↗Spouses and children of veterans who are MIA, POW, died on active duty, are 100% service-connected disabled, or died of a service-connected disability receive full tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois state-supported colleges for the equivalent of 4 years.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.