U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Peoria-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Veteran Employment Resources in Illinois
Find veteran employment resources in Illinois. State hiring preferences, career counseling, job training, and transition assistance for Illinois veterans.
Verified employment help in Illinois: who to call
46 verified employment resources serving Illinois. Crisis and fastest-path options are listed first.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Peoria veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Springfield-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Springfield veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Naperville veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Joliet-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Rockford veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Chicago-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Chicago veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Career counseling, resume help, skills translation, and job-search tools for Illinois veterans and transitioning service members, including the GI Bill and education-and-career counseling benefits.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) provides career counseling, training, education, and job placement for Illinois veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment barrier.
Employment and training services for Illinois veterans including job placement and career counseling.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Peoria area. SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Peoria area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Springfield-area veterans. Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Naperville veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Rockford area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Rockford veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Aurora-area veterans. Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Aurora area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Chicago area. SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Chicago area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Joliet area. SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Joliet-area veterans. Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Rockford area. SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
How employment help works in Illinois
Veterans bring exceptional skills to the civilian workforce — leadership, discipline, technical expertise, and the ability to perform under pressure. Illinois, home to approximately 620,000 veterans, offers a robust network of employment resources to help service members transition to meaningful civilian careers.
This guide covers federal and state employment programs, hiring preferences, career counseling, training opportunities, and veteran-friendly employers in Illinois.
Federal Employment Programs
American Job Centers & DVOP/LVER
The Department of Labor funds Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs) at career centers across Illinois. These specialists provide intensive career counseling, job placement, and follow-up services. Veterans receive priority of service at all federally funded employment programs.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)
Chapter 31 VR&E provides career counseling, resume development, job training, education, and job placement for Illinois veterans with service-connected disabilities who face employment barriers. Contact the VA Regional Office serving Illinois to apply.
Illinois Employment Resources
Illinois provides veterans' preference in state and local government hiring. The Illinois Department of Employment Security has veteran representatives at offices statewide. Scott Air Force Base and Rock Island Arsenal provide transition services
Skills Translation & Licensing
Illinois has taken steps to recognize military credentials and training for civilian licensing. Veterans with military occupational specialties in healthcare, commercial driving, aviation, and other regulated fields should contact the IDVA for assistance with credential recognition.
Veteran Entrepreneurship
The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development provides resources including Boots to Business training, Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), and SCORE mentoring. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) receive federal contracting preferences. Contact your nearest SBA office in Illinois for details.
Key Resources
- VA Careers: VA for Vets at vaforvets.va.gov
- Federal Jobs: usajobs.gov (Veterans' Preference applies)
- IDVA: Contact for state employment resources
- DOL Veterans Services: 1-866-487-2365
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Illinois offer veterans' hiring preference?
- Illinois provides veterans' preference in state and local government hiring. Veterans' Preference also applies to all federal jobs.
- What employment programs are available for disabled veterans in Illinois?
- VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) provides career counseling, training, and job placement for veterans with service-connected disabilities. DVOP specialists at career centers provide intensive services for disabled veterans.
- How do I translate my military skills to civilian jobs in Illinois?
- Use the VA Military Skills Translator at va.gov or O*NET to map military experience to civilian careers. Illinois has also taken steps to recognize military credentials for state licensing.
- Where can I get job training in Illinois?
- Options include VR&E, GI Bill-funded training, apprenticeships, state career center programs, and community college certificate programs. Contact your local career center or the IDVA for specific programs.
- How do I start a business as a veteran in Illinois?
- The SBA offers Boots to Business training, SCORE mentoring, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses receive federal contracting preferences. Contact your local SBA office in Illinois.
Top Illinois cities for employment
Related guides in Illinois
Employment in nearby states
National guide
Get more out of guides like this, free
A free Vet Uplift account saves the Illinois resources you find, personalizes what you see, and includes the free Daily Uplift newsletter. No payment, ever.
- Unlimited guided searches, tailored to your service era
- Save resources and jobs on any device
- Email yourself your estimator and match results
- The free Daily Uplift newsletter, plus your own dashboard
Always free, no payment, no credit card. Takes about a minute with a secure email sign-in link.