State file · IL
Veteran benefits in Illinois
Illinois exempts military and retired pay from state income tax, pays wartime service bonuses, offers deep property tax relief for disabled veterans, and runs four state veterans homes plus several tuition programs. Here's the landscape, category by category.
Back to the state mapIllinois file
Financial benefits
Military pay not taxed
Active duty military pay and retired veterans' income payments are free of Illinois state income tax.
Wartime service bonuses
Illinois pays a World War II bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service, and a $100 bonus for qualifying service during the Korean War, Vietnam, Operation Frequent Wind, the Persian Gulf, and the Global War on Terrorism periods. POWs from hostile forces in Southwest Asia may receive $50 for each month held captive.
Survivor compensation
Survivors are entitled to a payment of $1,000 if the veteran's death is service-connected.
Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption
Veterans with a 30–50% disability rating receive a $2,500 reduction in assessed value, 50–70% receive $5,000, and veterans rated 70% or higher are fully exempt from property taxes on their primary residence.
Specially adapted housing & returning veterans exemptions
Homes purchased with Specially Adapted Housing grants qualify for up to a $100,000 reduction in taxable value, and returning veterans receive a one-time $5,000 reduction to their home's assessed value.
Sales tax picture
Statewide sales tax is 6.25%, with local additions of up to 4.75%; the combined average is roughly 7.79%.
Recreation
State park admission
Illinois veterans are exempt from admission fees at any Illinois state park.
Hunting & fishing licenses
Disabled veterans with a rating of 10% or more are not required to purchase a hunting and fishing license, and veterans who served abroad are eligible for a 50% discount.
Education programs
Illinois Veterans' Grant (IVG)
Pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges. Requirements include an honorable discharge, six months of Illinois residency before service, at least one year of active duty, and returning to Illinois within six months of discharge.
Illinois National Guard Grant
Pays tuition and eligible fees (registration, graduation, general activity, matriculation, and term fees) at Illinois public universities and community colleges — up to 120 units for members with under 10 years of service and 180 units for 10 or more years.
MIA/POW Scholarship
Provides full payment of tuition and certain fees at any state-supported Illinois institution of higher learning, up to the equivalent of four calendar years of full-time enrollment.
Aid for children of deceased or disabled veterans
Financial aid is available for children between 10 and 18 years old of veterans who died or became totally disabled as a result of wartime military service. Each county may also award one honorary Children of Veterans Scholarship at the University of Illinois covering four consecutive years of tuition-free instruction.
Veteran housing
Illinois State Veterans Homes
Illinois operates state veterans homes in Anna, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. Veterans need an honorable discharge, Illinois residency, and as little as one day of service (wartime or peacetime); spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents are also eligible, with monthly costs based on income.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Honorably discharged veterans who served during wartime receive preference in state job hiring.
Police & firefighter educational waivers
Educational requirements are waived for honorably discharged veterans with relevant campaign medals for Illinois State Police, Conservation Police, and firefighter or municipal police positions, after 24 months of active duty or 180 days of combat service.
License & credential waivers
Testing and fees for EMT, CNA, EMR, and CDL licenses and credentials may be waived on the basis of military experience.
Burials & memorials
National cemeteries in Illinois
Illinois hosts numerous national cemeteries and soldiers' lots, including Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Camp Butler National Cemetery near Springfield, Rock Island National Cemetery, Alton, Danville, Fort Sheridan, Mound City, and Quincy national cemeteries, and Confederate sites at Alton, Chicago, and Rock Island.
VA resources in Illinois
Chicago Regional Benefits Office
The VA regional office serving Illinois for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteVA Illiana Health Care System
VA medical care for east-central Illinois, based in Danville.
Official siteCaptain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
A combined VA and Department of Defense health care facility in North Chicago.
Before you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
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