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Illinois Veterans’ Grant, Tax Exemptions for Veterans, Illinois Veterans Homes and more
The military is an important part of maintaining our country’s defense and freedoms. The federal government shows its appreciation to the men and women of the US Armed Forces in the form of several benefits given to Servicemembers and their families, and individual states maintain their own programs as well. State-level Veteran benefits are a significant source of assistance for Veterans and their families, supplementing federal benefits. The state of Illinois shows its appreciation to its military residents in various ways, through state-level Illinois Veteran benefits. Some of these programs include the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, which administers federal programs within the state, the Illinois Veterans Grant educational program, the Illinois Veterans home system, the disabled Veteran benefits in Illinois, the Illinois property tax exemptions for Veterans, and the Veterans cemeteries in Illinois. Learn more below.
Many Servicemembers and Veterans face financial hardships during the course of their military service, and the Illinois Veteran benefits system offers several programs to help offset these issues. Many of these programs, including the state income tax exemptions for Veterans, work in tandem with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs federal programs.
The Illinois property tax exemptions for Veterans is a popular program aimed at helping Veterans financially through tax exemptions. Illinois offers property tax exemptions for Veterans, with the amount of exemption dependent on the Veteran’s disability rating:
Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities: This exemption is available to Illinois residents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces and were not dishonorably discharged. To be eligible, Veterans must have at least a 30% service-connected disability and own and occupy the property as their primary residence.
Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption: This exemption offers a $5,000 reduction in EAV for Veterans returning from active duty in an armed conflict who own and occupy the property as their primary residence. It is available for two consecutive tax years and must be filed annually.
World War II Veterans Exemption: Veterans who served during World War II may be exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences, regardless of disability. This exemption automatically renews.
Specially Adapted Housing Exemption: Disabled Veterans who received federal or state assistance for specially adapted housing may receive a reduced taxable value of up to $100,000.
Illinois offers several income tax exemptions for Veterans and their families, with military income, including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired pay, and Survivor Benefit Plan payments, all tax-free for Illinois residents. Military disability retirement pay and federally exempt military pay, such as combat pay, are also tax-free. In some cases the Illinois income tax exemptions for Veterans extends to spouses as well. The Illinois income tax exemptions for Veterans is also offered to National Guard members who were activated for 90 days or more as well.
In Illinois, disabled Veteran license plates are available to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans who have a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more. The disabled Veteran license plate Illinois program provides plates that are multi-year and can be displayed on passenger vehicles, trucks and vans, and sport utility vehicles. They also allow for parking in spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities.
Illinois offers various emergency assistance programs for Veterans and their families, including financial aid for housing, utilities, and healthcare. These programs are designed to help Veterans experiencing financial hardship or crises, ensuring they have access to basic needs. Many of these are specific disabled Veteran benefits in Illinois Veteran programs. The Veterans Assistance Commission Cook County provides emergency and interim financial assistance for essential needs like food, shelter, and utilities. The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program offers confidential assistance, resource navigation, and case management to Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Finally, the Emergency Veterans Assistance Program provides for Veterans with income sources if they experience a sudden loss of income and are unable to pay for basic needs.
Veterans can access numerous educational benefits at both the federal and state levels. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers programs, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill, to assist with tuition, fees, and living expenses while pursuing education. Many states also offer their own benefits, such as free tuition or in-state tuition rates for Veterans. The Illinois Veteran Benefits Program operates several educational programs for Illinois Servicemembers.
The Illinois MIA POW Scholarship is a state-funded program that provides tuition assistance for dependents of certain Veterans. It waives tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public post-secondary institutions, including undergraduate, graduate, and law programs.
This grant is a $250 annual grant for children aged 10-18 of Veterans who died or became totally disabled due to service-related causes or who were declared missing in action (MIA) or captured as a prisoner of war (POW). The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs offers the grant.
The Illinois Veterans Grant is a state-funded program that provides educational benefits to eligible Illinois Veterans. It covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities in Illinois and can be used for undergraduate or graduate studies, up to the equivalent of four years of full-time enrollment. The Illinois Veterans Grant is an entitlement program, meaning that all eligible recipients receive it regardless of funding levels.
The Illinois National Guard Grant covers certain educational expenses for members of the Illinois National Guard. These include tuition and various fees, registration fees, and graduation fees. To qualify, one must be an active member of the Illinois National Guard and have been a member of the Guard for five years but had one’s education interrupted for being called to active duty.
Illinois offers a range of employment benefits to Veterans, including priority access to job openings on Illinois JobLink, state employment preferences, and resources for Veterans seeking employment. Additionally, there are benefits related to education, tax exemptions, and other resources for Veterans and their families as part of the Illinois Veteran Benefits Program.
In Illinois, Veterans applying for state jobs receive preference in hiring and are entitled to additional points added to their scores. This preference extends to private employers who voluntarily choose to establish it. Veterans in public works positions also receive preference, and qualified Veterans seeking state jobs are given points added to their scores, by which they receive absolute appointment preference within their score category.
In partnership with Illinois VA benefits, the Illinois Veteran Entrepreneurship Program, a collaborative effort between the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, aims to support Veterans in starting and growing businesses. It connects Veterans with resources, training, and opportunities to build successful entrepreneurial ventures.
Illinois offers Veterans comprehensive health insurance benefits through programs like Veterans Care, which provides affordable healthcare to eligible Veterans, as offered by the Illinois Veteran Benefits system. Additionally, the state offers the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program for Veterans dealing with PTSD or TBI symptoms, according to the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs operates several VA hospitals in Illinois, as well as clinics and health outreach facilities. The Chicago VA Hospital and the Hines VA Hospital Illinois location are some of the largest and most state-of-the-art medical facilities in the country. Other VA medical centers include the Danville Medical Center and the Jesse Brown Medical Center. VA outpatient clinics include the Bloomington clinic, Decatur clinic, and Mattoon and Springfield clinics.
The Illinois Veterans Care Health Insurance Program is a state-funded program that provides affordable, comprehensive healthcare to Veterans residing in Illinois who do not qualify for VA healthcare or other state-administered health benefits. It’s designed for Veterans who have the least access to reliable healthcare. This program is accepted at the Chicago VA hospital and the Hines VA hospital Illinois location.
The state Department of Veterans Affairs operates five state-owned and operated Veteran’s Homes that provide long-term care to eligible Veterans and, in some cases, their spouses as part of the Illinois Veteran benefits system.
The Anna and Quincy homes offer both domiciliary care, supported independent living, and skilled nursing care. The Chicago, LaSalle, and Manteno homes primarily provide skilled nursing care, including memory care. The Illinois Veterans home system operates the Manteno Veterans home as its primary memory care facility within the state.
For homeless Veterans, the Prince Home at the Manteno Veterans Home facility is a specific program offering housing and supportive services as part of the Illinois Veterans Home system. Additionally, the Chicago Housing Authority’s Veterans New Beginnings provides supportive housing for homeless Veterans in Chicago within the Chicago Veterans Home complex.
Illinois offers Veterans several parks and recreation benefits as part of the Illinois Veterans Benefits System, including free or discounted admission to state parks and facilities, free hunting and fishing licenses, and exemptions from camping and admission fees. Additionally, Veterans with disabilities may be eligible for a lifetime camping fee waiver and free admission to state parks.
The Illinois State Park Pass for Veterans, as well as their families, offers free and discounted access to Illinois state parks. This includes exemption from camping fees as well.
Illinois offers several hunting and fishing benefits, including the Illinois disabled Veteran hunting license and Illinois fishing license for Veterans. Disabled Veterans receiving 10% or greater service-connected disability compensation or total disability pension benefits are exempt from purchasing hunting and fishing licenses in the state.
The Illinois Veteran Benefits System and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs operate several Veterans cemeteries in Illinois. These include the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and the Danville National Cemetery. In general, burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the Armed Forces and Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Spouses, unmarried widows or widowers, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children are also eligible.
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