1362.8682 ILLI INOIS S c.3 P MI Governor Department of Veterans’ Affairs Dan Grant, Director Illinois Veterans’ Benefits JUN 2 1 2011 ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY 833 South Spring Street P.O. Boxl9432 Springfield, Illinois 62794-9432 217-782-6641 800-437-9824 TDD: 217-524-4645 http//w\vw.state.iI.us/agency/DVA Printed by authority of the State of Illinois Revised 02/11 Health Care Illinois Warrior Assistance Program: This program provides confidential assistance for Illinois veterans as they transition back to their everyday lives after serving our country. The helpline is available 24-hours a day at 866- 554-IWAP (4927) Help is available for veterans with symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to provide Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) screenings. Veterans Care Program: Provides affordable, comprehensive health care to Illinois' uninsured veterans. Call the agency to apply for the program. Automobiles Disabled Veterans License Plates and Parking: Disabled Veteran License Plates may be issued at no cost for the first set of plates to any U.S. Armed Forces Veteran if (1) the veteran holds proof of a service-connected disability from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (2) a licensed physician has certified that because of the service-connected disability the veteran qualifies for the issuance of a disabled placard or plate. Special License Plates: Upon establishing proof of eligibility to entitlement, special registration plates are available without fee. Military Retirees and Armed Forces Reserves and National Guard soldiers are eligible for registration plates for vehicles of the first or second division upon establishing proof of eligibility and payment of a registration fee. A universal veteran’s license plate is also available. A decal applicable to the veteran's service record may be affixed to the license plate and must be purchased from the State Headquarters of the American Legion, P.O. Box 2910, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701. Camping. Fishing & Hunting Camping & Admission Fees: Eligible Veterans, all former Prisoners of War, and immediate family when accompanied by the Veteran, are exempt from camping and admission fees at parks under the control of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Veteran must be an Illinois resident. Apply at your nearest veteran service office. Hunting and Fishing Privileges: Free fishing and hunting licenses are issued for disabled veterans who are receiving 10 percent or greater service-connected compensation, or total disability pension benefits The Veteran may obtain this license from the IDVA by pro¬ viding disability documentation that is no more than one year old. To acquire a permit, contact your local service office. Bonuses World War II: A bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for Foreign Service is payable to Illinoisans who served on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945, and received an honorable discharge. Survivors are entitled to a benefit of $900 if the veteran's death was service-connected and within the specified period. Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Conflict Bonus: A $100 bonus is payable for service during one of the following periods: Korea - June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1953 Vietnam - January 1, 1961 - March 28, 1973 Vietnam Frequent Wind - April 29, 30, 1975 Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995 Global War on Terrorism on or after September 11, 2001 to present. The claimant must also be in receipt of one of the following medals: Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam or the Southwest Asia Service Medal; and have been a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service and have received an Honorable Discharge. (Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf may apply) Survivors are entitled to a payment of $1000, if veteran's death is service-connected or the direct result of service-connected disabilities incurred in the period specified. PQW Compensation: Persons on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or employed by the United States Government on, or after, January 1, 1961, who were residents of Illinois 12 months prior to entry, and who were taken and held prisoner by hostile forces in Southwest Asia, are entitled to $50 for each month or portion thereof while being held captive. Line of Duty Compensation: This is a benefit administered by the Illinois Court of Claims. It provides approximately $300,000 for surviving next of kin of Illinois service members killed in the line of duty in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Vietnam Survivors* Compensation: Survivors are entitled to a payment of $1,000 if the Veteran's death is service connected or the direct result of service connected disabilities incurred in the period specified. A separate application is required. The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (IMFRF) provides monetary grants to Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Components and their families who were called to active duty as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. IMFRF grants are intended to help Service Members and their families defray the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services and other expenses that become difficult to afford when a wage earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty. The fund also provides for those wounded in combat. Burial Benefits Cartage and Erection Fees: When the federal government has furnished a headstone or marker, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall pay the allowable reimbursement amount for the setting of such marker within Illinois. Graves Registration: The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall maintain a card file Roll of Honor of all veterans buried in the State of Illinois. Every person, firm or corporation owning or controlling any cemetery or burial place in this State is required to keep a permanent record of the burial of each U.S. war veteran or memorial marker erected for this purpose. Indigent Veterans: The county Veterans Assistance Commission shall provide burial for any honorably discharged indigent veteran, or their mothers, fathers, spouse or surviving spouse, or minor children without sufficient means to defray the funeral expenses. The expense of such burial shall not exceed the sum of $600.00. Educational Opportunities Educational Opportunities for Children (IQ- 18 Yrs): Financial aid is provided annually for 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 or beginning February 1, 1955, until such individuals are no longer eligible for induction under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. Attendance means a state educational institution of elementary grade, a high school or Business College, vocational training school or other educational institution. MIA/POW Scholarship: Dependents of a veteran who has been declared by the Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs to be a prisoner of war; missing-in-action; to have died as the result of a service-connected disability; or be permanently disabled from service-connected causes with 100% disability; and, who was an Illinois resident or was an Illinois resident within six months of entering service may be eligible for the scholarship. Eligible dependents are entitled to full payment of tuition and certain fees to any state supported Illinois institution of higher learning consisting of the equivalent of four (4) calendar years of full-time enrollment including summer terms (i.e., 120 points). State Approving Agency for Veterans Education: Approves training for veterans in the areas of higher education, apprenticeship training, vocational training, on the job training, license and certification, tests and entrepreneurship programs covered under the G.I. Bill. Illinois Veteran Grant: The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state- supported colleges and universities. Applications and additional information are available from field offices of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, college financial aid offices, or Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, 60015, telephone 847/948-8550 or 800/899-ISAC. Illinois National Guard Grant: Any enlisted person, Lieutenant, or Captain with at least one (1) year service in the Illinois Army/Air National Guard may participate. Available for eight (8) semesters or twelve (12) quarters of full-time or part-time undergraduate study or graduate study at any Illinois state- controlled university or community college. Recipient is entitled to payment of tuition and certain fees. Applications and information on the scholarship may be obtained from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois, 60015, telephone 847/948-8550 or 800/899-ISAC. Troops to Teachers: Troops to Teachers is a nation-wide transition program designed to help eligible current and former service members become public school teachers. The program offers advisement on certification requirements, money to pay for teacher certification or commitment to a high- needs school, and a referral to hiring school districts. Honorary Scholarships: Each county in the state shall be entitled, annually, to one honoraiy scholarship in the University of Illinois, for the benefit of children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam Conflict periods, the Gulf War and the War on Terror with preference being given to the children of deceased and disabled veterans. Details may be obtained from the University or College's Financial Aid Office. State Veterans Employment Preference: Preference is given in Central Management Services entrance examinations to honorably discharged veterans who served in times of hostilities and peacetime. Jobs for Vets: The Department of Employment Security/Illinois Job Service provides a trained "Veterans Representative" to help you get the training and job you need. In cooperation with the Department of Employment Security, an electronic statewide job search information system is used, describing in excess of 8,000 job titles. The Department of Human Services provides services for veterans with mental/physical disabilities that assist them in returning to gainful employment. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs have a number of Small Business Administration Loan and Job Training Programs. Tax Exemption: This exemption is allowed on the assessed value of real property for which federal funds have been used for the purchase or construction of specially adapted housing for as long as the veteran, or the spouse, or unmarried surviving spouse resides on the property. To apply for this exemption, please contact your local County Assessor’s Office. Specially Adapted Housing: Assistance is provided for service-connected disabled veterans for the purpose of acquiring and remodeling suitable dwelling units with special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the veteran's permanent and total service-connected disabilities. Illinois Veterans Homes: Illinois Veterans with one day or more of service during any wartime period recognized by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a period of war may qualify. Veterans must have entered military service from the State of Illinois or been a resident for one year prior to applying to an Illinois Veterans’ Home. Applicants must pass background checks through the Illinois Department of corrections and the Illinois State Police. Illinois Veterans Homes are located in Quincy, Anna, LaSalle and Manteno with a future Home to be located in Cook County. A spouse, or surviving spouse, may also qualify for admittance to the Quincy Veterans' Home. Prince Home: Located in Manteno, Illinois, is a residential therapeutic program for homeless veterans. The program provides services, treatment and support enabling the veterans to regain their independence. Field Offices ADAMS 217-222-8641 CHAMPAIGN 217-278-3388 CHRISTIAN 217-287-7474 COLES 217-234-4776 COOK #1 DOWNTOWN 312-814-3326 COOK #2 SOUTHSIDE 773-363-9851 COOK #3 NORTHWEST 773-292-7894 COOK #4 CHICAGO HGTS 708-754-6403 COOK #5-A VA REGIONAL 312-980-4513 COOK #6 BLUE ISLAND 708-396-9840 COOK #7 NORTH RIVERSIDE 708-447-0420 COOK #9 PALATINE 847-485-2772 COOK #10 ORLANDPARK 708-403-2011 COOK #11 Des PLAINES 847-294-4664 DU PAGE #1 WHEATON 630-690-9449 DUPAGE #2 LOMBARD 630-495-9460 EFFINGHAM 217-342-8493 FRANKLIN 618-435-3678 HENRY 309-852-0227 JACKSON 618-684-2966 JEFFERSON 618-246-2910 ext 73404 KANE #1 ELGIN 847-608-0138 KANE #2 AURORA 630-585-5372 KANKAKEE 815-468-6581 ext 230 KNOX 309-343-2510 LAKE 847-689-4153 LA SALLE 815-223-0303 ext 210 LAWRENCE 618-943-6189 LIVINGSTON 815-842-2294 MACON 217-362-6644 MACOUPIN 217-854-6451 MADISON 618-258-9860 MARION 618-548-6929 MCDONOUGH 309-836-2243 MCHENRY 815-338-9292 MCLEAN 309-827-5811 MORGAN 217-245-0551 PEORIA 309-671-3179 ROCK ISLAND 309-793-1460 ST. CLAIR E. ST. LOUIS 618-583-2065 ST. CLAIR BELLEVILLE 618-233-5140 SALINE 618-253-2005 SANGAMON 217-782-6645 STEPHENSON 815-233-5092 VERMILION 217-442-1711 WHITESIDE 815-626-2468 WILL 815-730-4334 WILLIAMSON 618-997-3309 WINNEBAGO 815-633-7840