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  1. Article number 1 - Veteran Driver's License
  2. Article number 2 - Illinois Joining Forces
  3. Article number 3 - Illinois Veterans Business Program
  4. Article number 4 - Veteran and Military Discounts
  •  Veteran Driver's License

    Veteran Driver's License


    · Veteran’s Designation on Illinois driver’s license or ID Cards

    The veteran’s designation will help ensure our military veterans receive the services and benefits for which they are entitled. First, veterans must visit their nearest IDVA Veteran Service Officer and get their DD-214 certified. The former members of the Guard and Reserve will need to provide different forms. Then the veteran may apply for a new, renewal or updated driver’s license or ID card at any Secretary of State Driver Service’s facility. There is no additional cost for first-time driver’s license applicants and renewals, but if veterans chooses to update there’s a small charge. For more information, veterans may contact the IVDA at 1-800-437-9824 or visit www.illinois.gov/veterans.

  •  Illinois Joining Forces

    Illinois Joining Forces

    Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) is a joint Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and Department of Military Affairs (DMA) effort designed to better serve veterans, service members, and their families throughout the state. IJF will bring together, under a common umbrella, a field force of public, non-profit, and volunteer organizations in order to continually foster increased awareness of available resources and better partnership and collaboration between participating organizations. Illinois Joining Forces will establish a state-wide public and private organizational network that will identify, collaborate, and marshal available resources and services in order to create efficient access and delivery of these programs to the State’s military and veteran communities.

     

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    Illinois Veterans Business Program

    Through IVBP, state agencies and universities are encouraged to spend at least 3% of their procurement budgets with certified veteran-owned businesses. That equates to over $300 million that’s specifically targeted to veteran-owned firms every year. State contracting covers everything from construction and building repairs, to building maintenance, office supplies, upkeep for state parks, and a variety of other services. Eligible businesses include companies with annual gross sales under $75 million that are 51% owned by one or more qualified veteran(s) or service-disabled veteran(s) living in Illinois. If that’s you, get certified by submitting an application at the IVBP homepage. And if your business is already certified by the VA or Cook County, there’s an expedited process. For questions, please contact Central Management Services, at (312) 814-4190 or email at bep.cms@illinois.gov.
  •  Veteran and Military Discounts

    Veteran and Military Discounts

    In a continued effort to support our Illinois Veterans and Active Duty Military, we have a list of businesses who offer a discount to our Illinois heroes. This list will be updated as new information is received by the IDVA. The IDVA does not endorse any business, but offers this listing as a courtesy.

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Donate to Veterans Cash

​Now, Illinois citizens can contribute to Veterans Cash Grants year-round, not just when the Vets Cash lottery ticket is sold in stores each November! We have developed a site to facilitate contributions from Illinois citizens directly to the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund (VAF), the same fund to which proceeds of the Illinois “Veterans Cash” lottery game are deposited. All monies contributed via this VAF link will be granted by the Veterans Cash Grant Committee to help Illinois veterans in the following areas of need: post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, long-term care, disability benefits, health insurance costs, and employment assistance. Grants are awarded to qualifying public and non-profit organizations serving veterans directly in these areas. We hope you will find this service convenient and easy to use. Thank you for your contribution to empower our veterans to thrive back here in Illinois as they did in uniform!