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Overall Rating: 78/100 · 560,000 veterans (4.8% of population)
100% exempt since 2022
2.2% average effective rate
Full exemption
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
Most veterans considering Illinois for relocation pair this with one of these next steps:
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Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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