STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays eligible tuition and mandatory fees. Benefits are limited to use only at Illinois public colleges or community colleges. This grant is an entitlement program and is awarded to eligible applicants regardless of the funding level.

If you are a member of the Illinois National Guard, you may be eligible to receive the Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant. This grant can pay for eligible tuition and certain fees (i.e., registration, graduation, general activity, matriculation and term fees) for undergraduate or graduate study. Benefits are limited to use only at Illinois 2- or 4-year public colleges.

The Office of the Governor and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, in cooperation with the Illinois Community College Board, several community colleges, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and MyCreditsTransfer, completed a collaborative project to grant student veterans appropriate academic credit for the education and training they gained in military service.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and numerous Illinois state agencies are actively taking steps to develop policies and procedures through which military experience can be applied toward professional licensing standards.  Example... Medic to CNA or EMT.

The State of Illinois provides an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities or died as a result of a service connected disabilities. An applicant must be the spouse, widow, natural child, stepchild or adopted child of the veteran to qualify.

The State of Illinois provides an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities or died as a result of a service connected disabilities. An applicant must be the spouse, widow, natural child, stepchild or adopted child of the veteran to qualify.

Financial aid is provided annually to each child between the ages of 10 and 18 years of a veteran who died or became totally disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces during World War I, or II, the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts (beginning February 1, 1955), the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, until such individuals are no longer eligible for induction under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. The financial aid applies to a state educational institution of elementary grade, high school or vocational training school.

The Prince Home at Manteno is a program for homeless veterans who are also diagnosed with a clinical disorder and/or physical disability.

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has partnered with the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and the Federal VA to provide quality, state licensed childcare at No Cost while you attend your scheduled medical or counseling appointments; or job interview.

The benefits for this exemption will increase as follows:  

Veterans or surviving spouses of veterans with at least 30% service-connected disability, but less than 50%, will receive a $2,500 annual exemption (reduction to equalized assessed value (EAV). 

Veterans or surviving spouses of veterans with a service-connected disability of 50%, but less than 70%, will receive a $5,000 annual exemption (reduction to EAV). 

Veterans or surviving spouses of veterans with a service-connected disability of 70% or more will be exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences (100% reduction in EAV). 

Surviving spouses of veterans who are killed in the line of duty will receive additional property tax relief to assist families in maintaining their homes. A 100% reduction to the EAV on the primary residence will be available for surviving spouses of veterans who are killed in the line of duty.

The exemption applies to housing where Federal funds have been used to purchase or construct special adaptations to suit the veteran's disability.

Provides qualifying veterans a one-time $5,000 reduction to their homes’ equalized assessed value (EAV). Qualifying veterans who return from active duty in an armed conflict involving the U.S. armed forces can file an application upon their return home to receive this exemption. To apply for this exemption, contact or visit your local County Assessor’s Office.

Beginning on January 1, 2004, a mobile home owned and used exclusively by a veteran with a disability or the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran as a home, is exempt from the tax imposed under this Act.

Veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouses are required to file for the property tax relief each year. For more information on property tax relief and veteran's benefits, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue and Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs websites. Illinois veterans or their spouses should contact their local Veteran Service Officer for information to apply for the specially-adapted housing property tax and mobile home tax exemption benefits. For information on how to apply for property tax relief available through homestead exemptions, contact your chief county assessment office.  

Illinois veterans who served overseas or were mobilized by the President of the United States and have a form DD214 can contact the IDNR’s Springfield office and ask to be certified as qualifying for half priced licenses.

Fishing and hunting licenses are not required for disabled veterans who are receiving 10% or greater service-connected compensation, or total disability pension benefits. Documentation is required. An Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs VSO can assist you.  

This benefit provides for the exemption of camping and admission fees for certain disabled persons and former prisoners of war who are Illinois residents and wish to camp in parks under the control of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Documentation is required. An Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs VSO can assist you.  

Veteran Designation To obtain a "Veteran" designation on your Driver's License or State ID card you must:  Be an honorably discharged U.S. Veteran. Bring your certified Veteran document such as a DD214, Form 13038, Department of Defense Form DD-2 (Retired), an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015, a United States Department of Veterans Affairs summary of benefits letter or other official Department of Defense discharge document that indicates the applicant was honorable discharged to any Secretary of State facility to obtain the "Veteran" designation on your Driver's License or State ID card. If the "Veteran" designation is added during the renewal of your Driver's License or State ID card, there is no additional cost. If a veteran chooses to add the designation before their scheduled renewal date, they may obtain an updated Driver's License for $5 and an updated State ID card for $10. Veterans over the age of 65 can obtain an updated State ID card at no cost. Applicants will leave the facility with a temporary, secure paper driver's license, which is valid for 90 days and will serve as their DL/state ID for driving purposes and proof of identification. The temporary, secure paper driver's license will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the permanent driver's license or state ID card. In addition, the facility employee will return the old DL/state ID card back to the applicant. The SOS will verify your Veteran document with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA). If the IDVA is unable to verify your honorably-discharged veteran status, you will be notified to return to a SOS facility to have the veteran designation removed from your driver’s license and/or identification card. 

To find your nearest Illinois Dept. of Veterans' Affairs office or to request a replacement DD-214 or Form 13038, please call 1-800-437-9824 or visit: http://www.illinois.gov/veterans/.  

Illinois offers 40 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. Click on the link below to view the 40 different plates

Free or reduced fare rides are available for qualifying military personnel in the Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) service region of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The free or reduced fare rides are provided on fixed-route service by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace Suburban Bus. Eligibility requirements vary among transit providers. 

CTA allows active duty Service members and Veterans who have a qualifying service-connected disability to ride CTA for free.  Active duty Service members and actively drilling members of the National Guard and Reserves who have a valid U.S. Armed Forces ID card  Service members in uniform, see the rail station customer assistant or bus operator for a free ride  Disabled Veterans who have a 10% or greater disability rating from the VA or are receiving military disability retirement pay from a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Veterans with a disability, and active duty Service members not in uniform, must present a valid CTA Military Service Pass (MSP) to ride free on CTA buses and trains.  Veterans and Service members can request the MSP at the Ventra Service Center Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Ventra Service Center 567 W. Lake Street, Second Floor  Chicago, IL 60661  Phone: 877-669-8368  Applicants must provide their U.S. Armed Forces I.D. and/or proof of their VA disability rating of 10% or higher (dated within the last 12 months). MSP is not valid on Pace or Metra.  Metra: Metra offers reduced fare rides for active duty Service members. Service members must present their active duty military ID for the reduced fare and must purchase a one-way or 10-ride reduced fare ticket from a Metra ticket agent or onboard the train. The discount does not apply to monthly tickets.  Pace: Active duty Service members in uniform can ride Pace busses. Service members must see the bus operator for their free ride.  CTA Customer Service  Phone: 888-968-7282  TTY: 888-282-8891  Chicago Transit Authority Website  Metra Passenger Service  Phone: 312-322-6777  Metra Website   Pace Passenger Service  Phone: 847-364-7223 ext. 3  Pace Transit Services Website   RTA Customer Service  Phone: 312-913-3110  Regional Transportation Authority Website

CTA allows active duty Service members and Veterans who have a qualifying service-connected disability to ride CTA for free.  Active duty Service members and actively drilling members of the National Guard and Reserves who have a valid U.S. Armed Forces ID card  Service members in uniform, see the rail station customer assistant or bus operator for a free ride  Disabled Veterans who have a 10% or greater disability rating from the VA or are receiving military disability retirement pay from a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Veterans with a disability, and active duty Service members not in uniform, must present a valid CTA Military Service Pass (MSP) to ride free on CTA buses and trains.  Veterans and Service members can request the MSP at the Ventra Service Center Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Ventra Service Center 567 W. Lake Street, Second Floor  Chicago, IL 60661  Phone: 877-669-8368  Applicants must provide their U.S. Armed Forces I.D. and/or proof of their VA disability rating of 10% or higher (dated within the last 12 months). MSP is not valid on Pace or Metra.  Metra: Metra offers reduced fare rides for active duty Service members. Service members must present their active duty military ID for the reduced fare and must purchase a one-way or 10-ride reduced fare ticket from a Metra ticket agent or onboard the train. The discount does not apply to monthly tickets.  Pace: Active duty Service members in uniform can ride Pace busses. Service members must see the bus operator for their free ride.  CTA Customer Service  Phone: 888-968-7282  TTY: 888-282-8891  Chicago Transit Authority Website  Metra Passenger Service  Phone: 312-322-6777  Metra Website   Pace Passenger Service  Phone: 847-364-7223 ext. 3  Pace Transit Services Website   RTA Customer Service  Phone: 312-913-3110  Regional Transportation Authority Website

​A $3000 compensation benefit is payable to survivors of military personnel killed in action by terrorist acts or hostile activities during the performance of military service in periods recognized as wartime by a United States campaign or service medals. Residency of 1 year in Illinois prior to entering military service is required. To apply, please contact IDVA's local Veteran Service Office in your area..

Compensation of $1,000 is available to survivors of Vietnam veterans whose death was classified as service-connected by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The veteran must have been a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service, received the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam, and received an Honorable Discharge for service during one of the following periods:  Vietnam: January 1, 1961- March 28, 1973 Vietnam Frequent Wind: April 29, 30, 1975 To apply, please contact IDVA's local Veteran Service Office.

Illinois Bright Start Fallen Heroes Scholarship: Illinois offers the Children of a fallen Service member a $1000 scholarship that is deposited in a Bright Start account that may be used for qualified higher education expenses.  Who is eligible for the Illinois Bright Start Fallen Heroes Scholarship? The Children (including stepchildren and adopted Children), under 30 years old of a Service member that was killed in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to apply. Students do not need to be enrolled in an undergraduate program, and awards may be deferred for future use.  Scholarship Terms:  Scholarship are invested in an age-based portfolio under the Bright Start College Savings Program  Scholarship cannot be awarded as cash or withdrawn at any time for cash, funds must pay the school directly  Bright Start can only be used for qualified higher education expenses (tuition and fees)  Eligible educational institutions include most accredited public, nonprofit and privately-owned for-profit postsecondary institutions.  To apply students should submit the completed, signed application with the required documentation to FallenHeroes@IllinoisTreasurer.gov or by mail to:  Office of the Illinois State Treasurer  Fallen Heroes Scholarship  100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 15-600  Chicago, Illinois 60601  Required documentation includes the birth certificate or adoption certificate of the dependent Child named in the application, proof of Illinois residency, and a copy of the DD1300 Report of Casualty. A complete list of required documentation is contained on the application. For more information, please call 866-465-9724.  Bright Start Fallen Heroes, Scholarship Program Application