Resource Directory

Support services for military and veteran families in Illinois including counseling and family readiness programs.

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Peoria, 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 Peoria, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, IL veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services. Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.

Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Naperville, 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 Regional Office and benefit-counselor lookup for veterans in Peoria, IL. Confirm in-person hours, schedule a claims appointment, or find your nearest VBA benefits office.

Self-service and pro bono discharge upgrade resources for Peoria veterans, including the VA's official application guide and matching with attorneys who handle BCMR/DRB cases.

Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Peoria-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 Peoria veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.

American Legion Department of IL accredited service officer support for Peoria-area veterans. Service officers help draft VA claims, gather evidence, and represent veterans through the appeals process at no cost.

Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Springfield 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 Springfield area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.

SSVF grantee outreach for very low-income veteran families in Springfield 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 Springfield veterans. Apply through the local public housing authority and your nearest VA medical center.

Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Naperville 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 Naperville-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 Naperville area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.

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

Community-based VA Vet Center serving Naperville 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 Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Joliet area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.

Self-service and pro bono discharge upgrade resources for Joliet veterans, including the VA's official application guide and matching with attorneys who handle BCMR/DRB cases.

Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) serving Naperville, IL administer the Housing Choice Voucher used for HUD-VASH. Use HUD's official PHA contact list to find the right local PHA, request the veteran-priority waitlist, and confirm intake hours.

Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) serving Joliet, IL administer the Housing Choice Voucher used for HUD-VASH. Use HUD's official PHA contact list to find the right local PHA, request the veteran-priority waitlist, and confirm intake hours.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Joliet veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.

American Legion Department of IL accredited service officer support for Joliet-area veterans. Service officers help draft VA claims, gather evidence, and represent veterans through the appeals process at no cost.

VA Regional Office and benefit-counselor lookup for veterans in Joliet, 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 Rockford-area veterans. Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.

Self-service and pro bono discharge upgrade resources for Rockford veterans, including the VA's official application guide and matching with attorneys who handle BCMR/DRB cases.

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

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Aurora veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.

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

Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Chicago-area veterans. Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.

Self-service and pro bono discharge upgrade resources for Chicago veterans, including the VA's official application guide and matching with attorneys who handle BCMR/DRB cases.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Chicago veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.

American Legion Department of IL accredited service officer support for Chicago-area veterans. Service officers help draft VA claims, gather evidence, and represent veterans through the appeals process at no cost.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If a Illinois veteran disagrees with a VA decision, the official decision-review options are a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal. Free representation is available through accredited VSOs.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Naperville-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Rockford-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

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

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Aurora-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

Department of Labor American Job Center serving Aurora 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 Aurora-area veterans experiencing homelessness. CoCs route veterans to HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD transitional housing, and local nonprofit partners.