· Veteran’s Designation on Illinois driver’s license or ID CardsThe 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 (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.
Call the Illinois Warrior Assistance CONFIDENTIAL phone number at 866-554-4927 any time day or night.
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!