Illinois Veteran Benefits
12 state benefits for veterans in Illinois.
Property Tax
View all Property Tax in Illinois →Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (SHEVD)
Illinois reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) of a disabled veteran's primary residence on a sliding scale, and fully exempts the home from property tax for veterans rated 70% or more.
Eligibility: Illinois resident veteran with a VA service-connected disability of at least 30%, who owns and occupies the property as a primary residence. Unmarried surviving spouses qualify, including (since tax year 2023) spouses receiving VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for a service-connected death.
Estimated value: $2,500 EAV reduction (30–49%), $5,000 (50–69%), and full property tax exemption at 70%+ disability
How to apply: File Form PTAX-342 with your Chief County Assessment Office; a county Veteran Service Officer can help determine eligibility.
Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption
A one-time $5,000 reduction in the EAV of a veteran's principal residence for the tax year they return from active duty in an armed conflict, plus the following tax year.
Eligibility: Illinois veteran returning from active duty in an armed conflict involving the U.S. Armed Forces who owns and occupies the property as a principal residence on January 1 of the assessment year.
Estimated value: $5,000 EAV reduction for two consecutive tax years
How to apply: File Form PTAX-341 with your Chief County Assessment Office.
Education
View all Education in Illinois →Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG)
Pays tuition and mandatory fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges for eligible Illinois veterans.
Eligibility: Resided in Illinois for six months before entering service (or has been an Illinois resident for at least 15 consecutive years after leaving active duty), completed at least one full year of active duty, and received an honorable discharge.
Estimated value: Full tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public colleges and universities
How to apply: Apply through the financial aid/veterans office at your Illinois public institution; the program is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Deceased, Disabled & MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Scholarship
An education scholarship covering tuition and fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges for the dependents of veterans who are MIA, a POW, died on active duty, or are 100% service-connected disabled (or died from a service-connected disability).
Eligibility: Spouse or natural/adopted/step child of an eligible Illinois veteran who is MIA, a POW, died while on active duty, is rated 100% service-connected disabled, or died as a result of a service-connected disability. A child must begin using the benefit before age 26.
Estimated value: Up to 120 credit hours of tuition and fees at Illinois public institutions
How to apply: Apply online through ISAC (studentportal.isac.org); eligibility is certified through IDVA.
Employment
View all Employment in Illinois →Veterans' Preference Points for State Employment
Illinois adds preference points to the passing scores of qualified veterans on state civil-service examinations, with additional points for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.
Eligibility: Veterans who served during a period of hostilities (5 points), or who hold proof of a VA service-connected disability or are Purple Heart recipients (10 points). Certain spouses and parents of qualifying veterans may also receive points.
Estimated value: 5 or 10 points added to passing state civil-service exam scores
How to apply: Submit your DD214 and supporting documentation to the CMS Veterans Outreach Program when applying for State of Illinois positions.
Recreation/Hunting & Fishing
View all Recreation/Hunting & Fishing in Illinois →Free Hunting & Fishing License for Disabled Veterans
Qualifying disabled veterans receive a free, permanent combined hunting and fishing license with no expiration date.
Eligibility: Veterans receiving 10% or greater service-connected compensation, or total disability pension benefits, regardless of state of residency.
Estimated value: Free lifetime combined hunting and fishing license
How to apply: Obtain a Disability Affidavit for the Illinois Hunting and Fishing Privilege card from a local IDVA Veteran Service Office and present your DD214.
Free State Park Camping & Admission for Disabled Veterans and Former POWs
Illinois DNR waives camping and admission fees at state parks and recreation areas for eligible disabled veterans and former prisoners of war.
Eligibility: Illinois resident disabled veterans and former POWs holding an IDVA Veterans Disability Certification Card. A modest utility fee may still apply at campsites with utilities.
Estimated value: Waived camping and park admission fees (utility fee may apply at some sites)
How to apply: Obtain a Veterans Disability Certification Card from an IDVA field office and present it to park staff when obtaining a camping permit.
Vehicle/DMV
View all Vehicle/DMV in Illinois →Veteran Designation on Driver's License or ID Card
Eligible veterans can have a "VETERAN" designation printed on their Illinois driver's license or state ID card to make proving veteran status easier.
Eligibility: U.S. veterans with an Honorable or General (under honorable conditions) discharge who present a qualifying document such as a DD214.
Estimated value: Free when added at renewal ($5 DL / $10 ID mid-cycle; free ID for veterans age 65+)
How to apply: Bring your veteran discharge document to any Secretary of State facility; it is verified with IDVA before the designation is added.
Healthcare
View all Healthcare in Illinois →Illinois Warrior Assistance Program (IWAP)
A free, confidential warm helpline and case-management service helping veterans and their families with PTSD, mild TBI, military sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use.
Eligibility: Illinois-resident veterans and their families/caregivers who are not inmates of a public institution or residents of a nursing home.
Estimated value: Free confidential behavioral-health support and resource navigation (helpline 1-877-455-4927)
How to apply: Call the confidential helpline at 1-877-455-4927 or use live chat at illinoiswarrior.org, available any time.
Financial
View all Financial in Illinois →State Income Tax Exemption on Military Pay & Retirement
Illinois does not tax active-duty military pay or military retirement and disability retirement pay under the state's flat individual income tax.
Eligibility: Illinois residents with military pay or military retirement/disability retirement income included in federal adjusted gross income.
Estimated value: Full exemption from Illinois' 4.95% income tax on qualifying military pay and pensions
How to apply: Subtract qualifying military pay on Schedule M when filing Form IL-1040 (see Illinois Department of Revenue Publication 102).
War Participation Bonus & POW Compensation
One-time cash bonuses for Illinois veterans of qualifying conflicts, monthly compensation for former POWs, and survivor payments for certain service-connected deaths.
Eligibility: Illinois residents at the time of (or 12 months prior to) entering service who received an honorable discharge and qualifying campaign service. Former POWs and survivors of certain service-connected deaths may also qualify.
Estimated value: One-time bonuses (e.g., $100 for Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, or GWOT service), $50/month POW compensation, and $1,000 survivor benefits in qualifying cases
How to apply: Submit the War Bonus Application to the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs; a Veteran Service Officer can assist.
Housing
View all Housing in Illinois →Illinois Veterans' Homes
Subsidized skilled and domiciliary long-term care at five state-run veterans' homes in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans who served at least one day during a recognized war period or in a hostile-fire environment (or retired for a service-connected disability), and who entered service as an Illinois resident or were an Illinois resident for one year before applying.
Estimated value: Subsidized care (about $1,720/month cost of care; no monthly maintenance charge for veterans rated 70–100% service-connected)
How to apply: Apply through the admissions office of the Illinois Veterans' Home you wish to enter.