Resource Directory

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.

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.

Local HUD-funded Continuum of Care coordinated-entry intake for Peoria-area veterans experiencing homelessness. CoCs route veterans to HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD transitional housing, and local nonprofit partners.

Accredited county Veterans Service Officer for Peoria area veterans. Free help filing VA disability, pension, dependency, and burial benefit claims. Walk-in and appointment hours vary by office; call before visiting.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs administers Illinois-specific veteran healthcare programs and benefits and connects veterans with accredited service officers, state benefits, and local resources.

Benefits for surviving spouses, children, and parents of deceased Illinois veterans, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), survivors pension, education benefits, and burial benefits.

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.

Monthly VA pension for wartime Illinois veterans 65+ or permanently disabled with limited income, plus Aid and Attendance for those who need help with daily activities.

Tax-free monthly payments for Illinois veterans with service-connected conditions. File or check a claim online, by phone, or with free help from an accredited Veterans Service Officer.

SSVF provides rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention for very low-income Illinois veteran families, including temporary financial assistance for rent, utilities, deposits, and case management through VA-funded community partners.

Accredited county Veterans Service Officer for Springfield area veterans. Free help filing VA disability, pension, dependency, and burial benefit claims. Walk-in and appointment hours vary by office; call before visiting.

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.

Accredited county Veterans Service Officer for Joliet area veterans. Free help filing VA disability, pension, dependency, and burial benefit claims. Walk-in and appointment hours vary by office; call before visiting.

Accredited county Veterans Service Officer for Rockford area veterans. Free help filing VA disability, pension, dependency, and burial benefit claims. Walk-in and appointment hours vary by office; call before visiting.

Accredited county Veterans Service Officer for Aurora area veterans. Free help filing VA disability, pension, dependency, and burial benefit claims. Walk-in and appointment hours vary by office; call before visiting.

Local HUD-funded Continuum of Care coordinated-entry intake for Chicago-area veterans experiencing homelessness. CoCs route veterans to HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD transitional housing, and local nonprofit partners.

HUD-VASH combines a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management and clinical services for Illinois veterans who are homeless or at risk. Apply through your local public housing authority and nearest VA medical center.

Apply for VA health care to access primary, specialty, and mental health services at VA facilities serving Illinois. Most veterans with qualifying service and an other-than-dishonorable discharge are eligible.

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Naperville, IL veterans. CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.

Dial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Peoria-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach. Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.

Dial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Joliet-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach. Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.

Dial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Rockford-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach. Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.

Dial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Aurora-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach. Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.

Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Joliet, IL veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services. Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Rockford, IL veterans. CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.

Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Aurora, IL veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services. Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.

Free civil legal help for Naperville-area veterans from Prairie State Legal Services - DuPage County, the legal-aid organization serving Naperville, IL. Common matters include discharge upgrades, VA benefits appeals, family law, housing, and consumer issues.

Free civil legal help for Chicago-area veterans from Legal Aid Chicago, the legal-aid organization serving Chicago, IL. Common matters include discharge upgrades, VA benefits appeals, family law, housing, and consumer issues.

VA Regional Office and benefit-counselor lookup for veterans in Rockford, IL. Confirm in-person hours, schedule a claims appointment, or find your nearest VBA benefits office.

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.

Community-based VA Vet Center serving Chicago area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support. Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.

State housing finance agency providing mortgage assistance, rental programs, and housing resources for Illinois residents including veterans.

HUD-VASH (Housing & Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing) combines a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management for homeless Peoria veterans. Apply through the local public housing authority and your nearest VA medical center.

Community-based VA Vet Center serving Peoria area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support. Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.

Veterans Treatment Court diversion option for justice-involved Springfield veterans with eligible offenses. Combines court supervision with VA treatment, peer mentors, and wraparound services as an alternative to incarceration.

VA Regional Office and benefit-counselor lookup for veterans in Springfield, IL. Confirm in-person hours, schedule a claims appointment, or find your nearest VBA benefits office.

Community-based VA Vet Center serving Springfield area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support. Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.

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.

Free civil legal assistance for low-income veterans in Illinois.

SSVF grantee outreach for very low-income veteran families in Joliet who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. SSVF can fund rapid re-housing, temporary financial assistance, and case management.

HUD-VASH (Housing & Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing) combines a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management for homeless Joliet veterans. Apply through the local public housing authority and your nearest VA medical center.

Community-based VA Vet Center serving Joliet area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support. Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.

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.

Veterans Treatment Court diversion option for justice-involved Rockford veterans with eligible offenses. Combines court supervision with VA treatment, peer mentors, and wraparound services as an alternative to incarceration.

HUD-VASH (Housing & Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing) combines a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management for homeless Chicago veterans. Apply through the local public housing authority and your nearest VA medical center.

VA Regional Office and benefit-counselor lookup for veterans in Chicago, IL. Confirm in-person hours, schedule a claims appointment, or find your nearest VBA benefits office.

Illinois state veterans affairs office providing benefits counseling, claims assistance, and connections to state veteran programs.