I am a veteran

Illinois Work Net

Illinois Work Net sites are comprehensive, workforce development centers, providing essential employment and training services. The Work Net is a partnership between the public sector agencies and private businesses within a community.

Programs offered through and funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) are available at a Work Net center specializing in job search services, vocational assessment, and career counseling, and training vouchers.

 

Illinois Veteran Employment Benefits

State Government/Employment Preference

When being considered for state government employment preference is given in entrance examinations to honorably discharged veterans.   In addition the state conducts a Veterans Outreach Program that provides professional counseling to Veterans seeking state employment. Interested Veterans may learn more about the program or to begin the process of state employment by calling 1-800-643-8138.  Learn more about State Government/Employment Preference

Jobs for Vets

The Department of Employment Security/Illinois Job Service has staff who are trained "Veterans Representative" at each office to assist with training and job search.  Veterans should call 1-888-FOR-IETC to find their nearest Representative.  Employers receive special tax credits to hire veterans who are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan and the veteran specialists can help link with employers who hire with this credit.

The Department of Human Services provides services for veterans with mental/physical disabilities that assist them in returning to gainful employment.  These services are available through the Division of Vocation Rehabilitation Services.  Go to https://drs.dhs.state.il.us/owr/

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs have a number of Small Business Administration loan and Job Training Programs targeted to veterans. Learn more about Jobs for Vets

Illinois Education Benefits: State Approving Agency

This agency approves training for veterans in areas of higher education, apprenticeship training, vocational training, and on the job training.  From this site you can link to approved training programs and institutions in Illinois. Learn more about the State Approving Agency

Veterans' Grant
The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for Illinois residents. An individual must:

  • be an honorably discharged veteran; and
  • reside in Illinois six months before entering the service; and
  • have at least one full year of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces which includes veterans who were assigned to active duty in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country, regardless of length of service; and
  • return to Illinois within six months of discharge from the service.

Learn more about the Veterans' Grant 
 

Illinois National Guard Scholarship

Any enlisted person or Lieutenant or Captain with at least one year service in the Illinois Army/Air National Guard may participate. This help is available for eight semesters or twelve quarters of full-time or part-time undergraduate study or graduate study at any Illinois state-controlled university or community college. Tuition and fee payments are covered.  Learn more about the Illinois National Guard Scholarship

Vocational Rehabilitation VA Programs

The VA’s Vocational Rehabiliitation programs are available to veterans who became disabled while in service.  These programs are generally available for up to 12 years after discharge or 12 years after being found disabled.  If eligible for VA rehab services the veteran may also be eligible for a subsistence allowance to help with expenses.

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).  Learn more about the MIA/POW Scholarship

Children of Veterans Scholarship

 

Each county in the state shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship at the University of Illinois, for the benefit of children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict and any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until those persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Preference is given to the children of deceased and disabled veterans. Such children shall be entitled to receive, without charge for tuition, instruction in any or all departments of the University for a term of at least four (4) consecutive years. Details may be obtained from the University's Financial Aid Office.  Learn more about the Children of Veterans Scholarship

Children of Vietnam and Korean era veterans born with Spina Bifida or certain birth defects may also be eligible for education and VR benefits.  The child has to have been conceived after the Veteran served some time in these 2 places.

Example:  Joe is a Vietnam era veteran.  He was discharged in January 1972.  He does not receive a disability rating at the time of discharge.  You see him in January 2008 and discover he is a diabetic.  Since he served in Nam you send him to the VA and they provide him VA Compensation based on a 10% disability rating.  Joe is eligible to obtain VA Vocational Rehabilitation services for 12 years from January 2008.

GI Bills for Education

There are currently 2 different GI Bills in place:  the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  Following is brief chart comparing the various bills.

It is strongly recommended that if you are not sure which one is best go to http://www.gibill.va.gov/index.htm The site has a great tool to help you decide which bill meets your needs as well as information about payment.

Employment Resources

  • Career Info Net http://www.acinet.org/acinet/default.asp
  • Career tests and descriptions
  • Illinois Job Bank http://www.ajb.org/il Searchable job and resume listings for job seekers and employers in Illinois
  • Job Accommodation Network http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/Information about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities
  • Monster.com http://www.monster.com/
    Global online network for careers
  • HIRE VETS FIRST http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/
  • This link contains national employment resources for veterans, including America’s Job Bank, an online job matching service and the O*NET, which can help veterans align military educational and job training curricula with current civilian workplace needs.
  • ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY http://www.ides.state.il.us/veterans/default.asp
  • Link to the Illinois Department of Employment Security Veteran’s resource page.
  • EMPLOY ILLINOIS
  • Illinois Treasurer’s Office offers economic hardship loans to active duty Reserve Forces (National Guard and Reserves) whose businesses may suffer during their deployments or training.  Employ Illinois loans provide low-interest access to capital to hire employees, make capital improvements or pursue other avenues that will lead to business survival.http://www.treasurer.il.gov/programs/employ-illinois/reserve-forces.aspx
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