State benefits
Illinois veterans are eligible for 11 state and federal benefit programs, including Healthcare, Education, Housing, and more. Most state programs require state residency and a VA-issued disability rating; eligibility thresholds vary by program. This page lists every benefit with source URLs and application paths.
11 programs7 categoriesOfficial source linked on every program
Healthcare
Value: Long-term skilled nursing and domiciliary care
Illinois operates five state veterans homes in Anna, LaSalle, Manteno, Quincy, and Chicago providing skilled nursing and domiciliary care.
Note: Five facilities: Anna/Quincy (domiciliary and nursing), Chicago/LaSalle/Manteno (nursing care). Must be IL resident 1 year. Requires wartime service or 1 year peacetime service.
Education
Value: Full tuition and fee waiver
Waives tuition and fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges for eligible veterans who have served at least one year of active duty after August 1990.
Note: Covers tuition and mandatory fees at IL public schools. No credit hour limit. GI Bill applied first for tuition; IVG covers the remaining balance. Veteran still receives FULL GI Bill housing allowance and book stipend. Confirmed concurrent use by ISAC.
Housing
Value: Up to $100,000 reduction in assessed value
Up to $100,000 reduction in assessed value for housing owned by a disabled veteran when federal funds have been used for specially adapted housing construction or purchase.
Note: Requires federal funds authorized for specially adapted housing. Since 2015, also covers housing donated by charitable organizations if veteran is VA-approved for SAH. Must reapply annually.
Employment
Value: Preference points on state employment examinations
Veterans receive preference points on state employment examination scores, with additional points for disabled veterans. Applies to all State of Illinois competitive positions.
Note: Under 20 ILCS 415/8b.7. Must submit DD-214. Private employers may voluntarily adopt preference under 330 ILCS 56.
Value: Access to $300M+ in state procurement contracts; free business counseling
IL provides business support through IDVA Veteran Entrepreneurship initiative and Veterans Business Program (VBP) with a 3% state procurement goal ($300M+ annually) for certified veteran-owned businesses.
Note: Three programs: (1) IDVA Veteran Entrepreneurship training, (2) VBP 3% procurement goal, (3) IDES DVOP/LVER specialists at 30+ American Job Centers. 35 SBDCs offer free counseling.
Tax
Value: $2,500–total exemption (scaled by disability rating; up to $250,000 EAV for 70%+)
Illinois Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (SHEVD) applies to veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability rating: $2,500 exemption for 30–49%, $5,000 for 50–69%, and a total EAV exemption (up to $250,000) for 70% or more. A separate Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption provides a $5,000 one-year exemption on return from active duty.
Note: Tiered: $2,500 (30-49%), $5,000 (50-69%), full EAV up to $250k (70%+). Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption is separate one-year $5,000 benefit. Apply at county assessor. Must reapply annually.
Value: Full exemption of military retirement pay from 4.95% state income tax
Illinois fully exempts all military retirement pay from state income tax. Veterans subtract military retirement income from federal AGI when filing IL state taxes.
Note: Claimed on IL-1040 Schedule M. Also covers active duty pay, cadet duty, and ROTC duty. Illinois is one of the states that fully exempts military retirement income.
Value: $5,000 EAV reduction for two tax years (saves $500–$1,500)
$5,000 reduction in equalized assessed value for two consecutive tax years — the year returning from armed conflict and the following year. Separate from the standard Disabled Veterans exemption.
Note: Available for two tax years beginning with the year returning from armed conflict. Apply at county assessor.
Transportation
Value: $151+ savings (registration fee waiver for first set)
Free ISERVE plates for 50%+ disability; Disabled Veteran plates for any disability + mobility impairment. Both provide disabled parking privileges.
Note: ISERVE: 50%+ VA rating. Standard DV: any SC disability + mobility impairment. First set free. Both authorize disabled parking.
Recreation
Value: $25–$60 annual savings
Veterans with 10%+ service-connected disability are exempt from IL hunting and fishing licenses and habitat stamp, regardless of state of residency.
Note: Requires DD-214 and IDVA Disability Affidavit. Does NOT exempt from separate permits (deer, turkey). Available to both resident and non-resident disabled veterans.
Value: $15–$35 per night savings on camping fees
Disabled veterans and former POWs are exempt from camping fees at IL state parks. Higher-class sites pay only $10 utility fee; lower-class sites are completely free.
Note: Requires IDVA Veterans Disability Certification Card. Former POWs also qualify. IL resident disabled veterans also get shelter reservation fees waived.
“Requires federal funds authorized for specially adapted housing. Since 2015, also covers housing donated by charitable organizations if veteran is VA-approved for SAH. Must reapply annually.”
Questions
Illinois offers 11 veteran benefit programs spanning Healthcare, Education, Housing, Employment, Tax, Transportation, Recreation. Eligibility requirements vary by program — most require a VA-issued disability rating and state residency.
Many Illinois benefit programs require a minimum VA disability rating — commonly 10%, 50%, or 100%. Some programs, such as education assistance or employment preference, have no rating requirement. Check each benefit listing on this page for the specific threshold.
Most Illinois state benefits require current state residency. Some programs require continuous residency for one or more years. Federal VA benefits are available to all eligible veterans regardless of state of residence.
Yes — in most cases, state and federal veteran benefits are stackable. For example, a property tax exemption from Illinois does not reduce your federal VA disability compensation. Some federal needs-based programs may offset certain state payments; review each program's terms.
Applications for Illinois state benefits are typically submitted through the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs or the administering state agency. Application links are listed directly on each benefit card on this page. Federal VA benefits are applied for at VA.gov.
Yes — Illinois has at least one property tax benefit listed for veterans. Eligibility typically requires a minimum disability rating and state residency. See the Tax section on this page for the current threshold and application link.
Yes — Illinois offers education benefits for veterans. These may include tuition waivers, National Guard tuition assistance, or supplemental GI Bill top-ups. See the Education section on this page for current programs and eligibility.
Most Illinois state benefit programs require an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Most federal VA benefits require a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, but the GI Bill is stricter: the Montgomery GI Bill for active duty requires an honorable discharge, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill ordinarily does too. With an other-than-honorable discharge, VA makes a character-of-discharge determination, and some benefits may still be available; consult a VSO or accredited claims agent for individual eligibility.
Agency · Healthcare benefit source — Illinois
Agency · Education benefit source — Illinois
Agency · Housing benefit source — Illinois
Agency · Employment benefit source — Illinois
Agency · Transportation benefit source — Illinois
Agency · Recreation benefit source — Illinois
CFR · Federal regulations governing VA disability compensation and pension
Agency · Official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits portal
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