Welcome to our Veterans Resources Page. The goal of this page is to offer access to the widest possible array of services, discounts and other opportunities available to veterans and their families. Just scroll down until you find what you’re looking for and click on the name to get to the corresponding website. Send suggested additions to info@iavmuseum.org.
To view mini-profiles of many of the resources listed below, click here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Being listed on this page does not constitute an endorsement by the Italian American Veterans Museum or its board of directors. The museum and its board assumes no liability for losses or damages incurred by anyone availing themselves of these resources or any other resource referred to by the resources on this page.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Crisis Line
Rapid response for Veterans in crisis
VA Welcome Kit
More than 20 guides to benefits and services for Veterans and their families
National Call Center for Homeless Vets
Rapid response for homeless Veterans
Benefits enrollment
How to sign up for VA benefits
Health Care Enrollment
How to apply for VA health care
Hines VA Hospital
The Chicago-area’s main VA facility
Hines Veterans Mental Health Council
Improving VA mental health services through community engagement
Vet Centers
Assists with the transition from military to civilian life
Locations
A list of VA locations in Illinois
My HealtheVet
VA health care management portal
Video Connect
Video access to a VA care team
COVID-19 Updates
The latest information on vaccines for Veterans
VA Podcasts
News-related interview shows on a variety of topics
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Illinois Veterans Service Officer
Cynthia McKee
Leyden Town Hall
2501 North Mannheim Road
Franklin Park, IL 60131
847-451-5111
Cynthia.McKee@illinois.gov
COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
LAKE COUNTY VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
ADVOCACY
Coalition of Veterans Organizations
Educating and advocating on behalf of veterans
Military Officers Association of America
Advocating on behalf of and providing benefits to its officer members and their families.
ANIMAL SERVICES
America’s VetDogs
Service dogs for Veterans and first responders
BJ Chimenti Angel Fund for Veterans and Pets
Matches Veterans in need of support with pets that are in need of good homes.
Canine Companions for Independence
Service dogs for Veterans and Veterans with PTSD
Dog T.A.G.S.
Service animals for Veterans returning from the Middle East
Dog Tags (Puppies Behind Bars)
Service Dogs for Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
Freedom Farm for Vets
Animal therapy in a rustic setting
Freedom Service Dogs of America
Free service dogs free to Veterans and active-duty military who suffer from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, or are physically disabled
K9s For Warriors
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans
Lutheran Church Charities Kare 9 Military Ministry
Ministerial visits with trained comfort dogs to injured and traumatized Veterans
Operation Horses and Heroes
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for Veterans
Paws of War
Reuniting military personnel and Veterans with the dogs and cats they rescued and bonded with while serving overseas
Pets for Vets Chicagoland
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans
Pits for Vets (Facebook)
Training and pairing pit bulls with injured and traumatized Veterans
Project K-9 Hero
Finds post career homes for police and military dogs
Soul Harbour Ranch
Animal therapy and intervention
Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation Pets and Vets
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans
United States War Dogs Association
Retired war dogs for adoption
Warrior Canine Connection
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans
CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
Becoming a Florida Social Worker
Pursuing a career in social work
Hire a Veteran
Employment opportunities and job resources for Veterans
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Employment services and special benefits for Veterans
Rider University
General resource guide
RecruitMilitary
Information and resources for Veteran, military and spouse job seekers.
Veteran Business Project
Advice for Veterans who want to become entrepreneurs
Veteran-Owned Business Directory
Profiles of nearly 20,000 Veteran-owned businesses
DISCOUNTS
Chicago Clerk
No-fee vehicle stickers
ComEd
Electric bill financial assistance program
Cook County Assessor’s Office
Property Tax Relief through Veteran Homeowners Exemptions
Cook County Clerk
Military and Veteran discount cards
Cook County Clerk (scroll down)
Free recording and storage of DD214s
Dealhack.com
Military and Veteran discount guide
Disabled Veterans Eligible for Free Entry with National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass
KinderCare
Childcare discounts
National Park
Free admission for Veterans with disabilities
National Park
Free admission for gold star family members
Vet Tix
Discounts on entertainment and other events
Veterans Canteen Service
Discounts available to VA employees and Veterans and families enrolled in VA health care
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Cafe Liberty
11-Week cooking school for Veterans
Folds of Honor
Scholarships to spouses and children who have had a spouse or parent killed or disabled in service to their country, either as a member of the military or as a first responder.
George Washington University
Benefits for service members and Veterans
Maryville University
Benefits for service members and Veterans
Serving Justice in Uniform
Pursuing an education and career as a military paralegal.
University of North Dakota
Cyber Security Education and Training Resources for Veterans
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation
Assistance and relief to Veterans and immediate family members, Grants to Veterans groups, events and causes
Debt Reduction Services
Free credit and debt counseling for active duty service members
Purple Heart Foundation
Veterans critical assistance grants and funding for scholarships, PTSD resources and service dogs
The Military Wallet
A variety of personal finance resources, programs and benefits
GENERAL
100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans
Providing dignity, love and respect to all female service members, both past and present
Archdiocese of Chicago Veterans Website
Resources for returning Service members, Veterans and their families, and for the families of those who died in service.
America Cares Too
A range of services for needy Veterans and families
Blue Star Families
Assistance for military families
Birdies for the Brave
Broad-based assistance provided by the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour
Catholic Charities
Housing, employment and other services
Charities for Vets
Rates charities that serve Veterans.
Combined Veterans of Berwyn
2020 virtual expo
Cook County Veterans Services
A variety of services available through the county and other sources
Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation
Educational programs; help for veterans experiencing substance abuse, PTSD, homelessness, joblessness or suicidal ideation; assistance in securing a chaplain, honor guard, TRICARE or VA benefits
Disabled Veterans National Foundation
Support to disabled and at-risk Veterans
The Guide to Movies for Vets
Spotlighting movies with military themes
Illinois Joining Forces
Linking Veterans with available services
Midwest Veterans Closet
Free food, clothing, goods and services for active-duty service members and Veterans
National Resource Directory
Database of validated resources that ervice members, Veterans, family members and caregivers
Operation Homefront
Financial support, programs and events aimed at helping military families overcome adversity
Rags of Honor
Employment and services for homeless and unemployed Veterans
Reserve Organization of America
Assistance for America’s Reserve Force
TLS Veterans
Peer support and referral services for Veterans
U.S.VETS
Helping Veterans and their families make successful transition to community life
VA Mortgage Loan Calculator
Helps estimate the monthly payments on a VA home loan
Veteran.com
A comprehensive online directory of useful information for Veterans and active-duty military
Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County
Housing and emergency services and assistance
Veterans Guide
Useful information for Veterans, including a 2024 VA Disability Calculator
Welcome.US
Assistance for our Afghan allies
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Camp Lejeune Claims Center
Assistance for victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune
Chicago Veterans
Empowering Veterans through life’s transitions
Clunker Junker
Veterans guide to driving and transportation
COVID-19 Military Support Initiative
Advocacies, information and support for the defense community during the pandemic
Guitars for Vets
Music therapy for PTSD
Headstrong
No-cost counseling for Veterans
Help Heal Veterans
Therapeutic craft kits for hospitalized and homebound Veterans
Illinois Chess Vets
Helping Veterans through chess
Make the Connection
Helping Veterans better address the issues that confront them
Mankind Project Chicago
Empowering men to improve their lives and the world around them
Mattress Clarity
What Veterans should know about sleep
Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Assisting Veterans with mesothelioma
Mission Daybreak
Suicide prevention initiative
Objective Zero
Suicide-prevention initiative
Project Headspace and Timing (PHAT)
Promotes positive mental health practices among Veterans.
Project Red Team
Mental Health education and outreach
Psych/Armor
PEducation and training to improve the health and lives of military-connected individuals.
Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center
Mental health care and wellness services
Semper Fi & America’s Fund
Assistance for critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, Veterans and military families
Support Over Stigma
Helping military, Veterans, and first responders overcome their mental health and service-related challenges.
Team Red, White & Blue
Strengthening the mind-body connection
The Veterans Healing Farm
Healing through farming
Veterans Smile
Free dental care for Veterans in need
Vets 4 Warriors
Veterans-helping-Veterans help line
The Way Back Inn and Grateful House
Outpatient, residential and other services for addiction and dependency
Wounded Warrior Project
Assisting Veterans with PTSD, physical or mental injuries and illnesses
HOUSING
Chicago Veterans’ Home
New Veterans home on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side
Fisher House
Lodging for families of hospitalized Veterans
Hines Fisher House
Lodging for families of hospitalized Veterans
Illinois Veterans Homes
Long-term residential care
Independence for Veterans
“Tiny homes” for Veterans at no cost
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Housing, supportive services and community outreach
New Horizons
Transitional living, employment assistance, housing assistance and counseling
Purple Heart Homes
Financial and construction assistance for service-connected disabled and aging Veterans
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Mortgage-free homes to Veterans who have suffered catastrophic injuries during their service.
Veterans Build
Volunteer opportunities and assistance with home ownership, home improvement and repairs, and employment.
LEGAL AID
Army Review Boards Agency
Courts of appeal for Veterans whose discharges were less than honorable
Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN)
Free legal aid for Illinois armed forces
Veterans’ Legal Aid Society
Free legal aid for qualified Illinois Veterans and their families
MEDAL OF HONOR
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Honoring the sacrifices of all Medal of Honor recipients
Father Capodanno Guild
Celebrating the life of Medal of Honor Recipient Fr. Vincent Capodanno
MUSEUMS, MEMORIAL, HISTORY, ETC.
American Legion Memorials Database
Chicagoland Combined Veterans Museum, Library and Honor Roll
First Division Museum at Cantigny Park
Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
Great Lakes Naval Museum Foundation
Illinois State Military Museum
Illinois Veterans History Project
National Museum of Civil Defense
National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum
National Museum of World War II
Naval History and Heritage Command
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
National Museum of the American Sailor
Northern Illinois University Archives
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum
SALUTES
Bugles Across America
Providing live taps for deceased veterans
Honor Flight Chicago
Honoring Veterans with trips to Washington, D.C.
True Patriots Care
Flag tributes and honor walls for members of the military and first responders
Wreaths Across America
Annual wreath-laying project at cemeteries across the country
SPIRITUAL
Warriors to Lourdes
Pilgrimages to Lourdes conducted by the Knights of Columbus
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Catholic ministries and services for members of the U.S. Armed Forces
VETERANS GROUPS
Chicagoland Veterans Command Post
Korean War Veterans Association
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Sheridan’s Chapter First Cavalry Division
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
WOMEN
100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans
Providing dignity, love and respect to all female service members, both past and present. A
Top Flight Defense Inc.
Serving the needs of women Veterans from all branches of the military. T
