News You Can Use

IDVA opens office in Evanston

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has opened an office at 1901 W. Howard St. in Evanston. Veterans Service Officer Brandon Jagers will be available by appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday to assist with claims, appeals and guidance. Jagers is an Army Veteran with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Northeastern University. To make […]
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VACCC launches pilot shuttle service

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County is running a free, ADA-compliant shuttle service for Cook County Veterans between Hines VA Hospital and the VACCC office on Hamilton Avenue. The shuttle takes veterans to the VACCC office and back three times a day, Monday through Friday. The VACCC office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. […]
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Strum your way to wellness with Ukulele Lisa

Lisa Mannion, A.K.A Ukulele Lisa, offers free monthly group ukulele lessons to Veterans from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Joliet Veterans Recreation and Wellness Center, 3581 Hennepin Dr., Joliet. The sessions are sponsored by AllenForce. An army Veteran, singer-songwriter, performer and music teacher, Mannion created Strumming for Wellness, a therapeutic ukulele program […]
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Women Veterans lend Habitat for Humanity a hand

Chicago Veterans recently teamed up with Habitat for Humanity for a day of service, building a home for a fellow Veteran through Habitat’s Veterans Build program. The initiative empowers Veterans through homeownership, repairs and camaraderie-building events. A team of dedicated women Veterans worked hand-in-hand with the new owners, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in their new homes and […]
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Making the transition to community life

The shift from military to civilian life is a profound challenge, and each Veteran’s journey is unique. For some, it’s the loss of camaraderie; for others, it’s the loss of a career or sense of purpose. These difficulties can lead to isolation, which may drive Veterans toward unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance abuse. Recognizing this, Armando Vega, a U.S. Army […]
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Navy launches new warship named after Basilone

The U.S. Navy recently launched a new warship named after WWII hero John Basilone, taskandpurpose.com reported. As a Flight IIA variant of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the ship is designed to carry out several missions, including anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. The ship is named for Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, one of the Marine Corps’ most legendary warriors. Serving in […]
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Spread the word about discounts in Cook County!

The Cook County Clerk’s Office is seeking help in promoting participation in the county’s Military & Veterans Discount Card Program, an initiative that provides Veterans and military members with exclusive discounts at local businesses. By promoting this program, supporters can ensure that more Veterans benefit from the discounts available while encouraging more businesses to participate. To register your business, click […]
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Chicago Veterans seek to honor 24 stellar Veterans

Chicago Veterans is seeking nominations for 24 Veterans in 2024. This annual initiative honors Veterans who have made significant contributions to their communities in sectors such as business, entrepreneurship, education, technology, healthcare, and nonprofits. Honorees will receive awards at a special event and be featured in a publication showcasing the class of 2024. For more, click here.  
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Chicago Park District sets 2024 Valor Games

Applications are now being accepted for Valor Games Midwest, a three-day Paralympic sport competition for Veterans with physical, visual or invisible disabilities. Athletes can compete in discus, shot put, cycling, archery, powerlifting, indoor rowing, biathlon or table tennis, with no previous experience required. The event is hosted by the Chicago Park District. Applications are due by July 12. The games […]
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State legislature goes after “claim sharks”

“Claim sharks” are a huge problem for our Veterans community. These individuals and companies charge hefty fees to “assist” veterans with filing their VA benefit claims, which is an illegal practice. Illinois bill SB3479 will penalize those who defraud Veterans in this way. The more support we can muster for this bill, the better. For more on claim sharks, click […]
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