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New State Laws Support Veterans, Military Families |
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Gov. Pat Quinn signs the Illinois Military Family Licensing Act with First Lady Michelle Obama and state agency directors. |
This summer Governor Pat Quinn, a long-time advocate for Illinois military members and veterans, has signed five new bills into law to help veterans, service members and their families. These include:
- Increasing the annual cap of the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit from $1,200 to up to $5,000 for Illinois businesses which hire unemployed Post-9/11 veterans. The legislation also expands property tax relief for families of fallen Illinois service members.
- Helping military spouses and separating service members obtain 6-month professional licenses through the Illinois Military Family Licensing Act, which eases the transition across state lines for military families and to civilian life for veterans. Governor Quinn and IDVA Director Erica Borggren were joined at the bill signing by First Lady Michelle Obama. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2013.
- Improving veterans' access to state services by directing the Illinois Secretary of State's Office to add a unique veteran marker on eligible veterans' driver's licenses and identification cards beginning July 1, 2015.
- Directing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to partner with IDVA and other state agencies to create the Illinois Veteran Conservation Corps and Illinois Veteran Recreation Corps.
- Adding employment and job training programs to the categories of services that can be funded using proceeds from the Veterans Cash Lottery Ticket.
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Free Enrollment For Veterans In BOC Program |
Do you want to improve your competitiveness in the job market and have access to job opportunities in the facilities management profession? The Building Operator Certification (BOC) program will help you do just that!
Eligible veterans will receive free benefits including eight days of hands-on training in energy-efficient building operations and maintenance (a nationally-recognized certification), job placement assistance, mentoring by a facilities management professional, and a transportation stipend.
The first BOC program will be held in Springfield, Ill. starting on August 23, 2012. A second, Chicago-area program is being planned. Stay tuned to the official BOC website for the latest program information.
Veterans with experience and transferable skills as an engineer, electrician, technician, HVAC maintenance worker, boiler operator, or related job are ideal candidates for this program.
Download the official program flyer for more information about eligibility and enrollment. |
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Veteran Business Event in Marion, July 27th |
 If you are an Illinois veteran who owns your own business or possesses the skills and determination to start one, then the "Mission: Veterans 2 Entrepreneurs" event in Marion, Ill. is for you.
This is a great opportunity for you to learn about procurement opportunities with the State of Illinois and other federal and local government agencies, plus numerous services provided by not-for-profit organizations.
Hosted by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) and Illinois Central Management Services (CMS), this free program will also guide veterans through the process to have their companies become certified as a veteran-owned business in the State of Illinois and be eligible for the 3% goal of all state contracts and services.
The event will take place from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., on Friday, July 27, 2012 at the VFW Heyde-Pillow Post 1301, 201 W. Longstreet, Marion, IL 62959.
A flyer, including a list of participating organizations, is available for download. |
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DePaul Law Student Is July Veteran Of The Month | |
 The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) has honored Daniel Sylvester, a DePaul University law student and U.S. Army veteran, as its July 2012 "Veteran of the Month."
"Daniel Sylvester epitomizes the fact that veterans continue to serve after taking off the uniform," said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. "He has made a deep impact on Illinois veterans through his work at DePaul University College of Law, consistently advocating on their behalf."
Sylvester served on active duty as an officer in the Army from 1988 to 1999, including humanitarian operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1993-1994), and then as part of the Dayton Peace Accords Implementation Forces (1995-1996).
For more information on Sylvester, please review IDVA's press release. To nominate someone for the honor please visit IDVA's website at www.veterans.illinois.gov to obtain a list of guidelines and a nomination form. |
| August 12th Is Veterans' Day At The State Fair | |
IDVA will host "Veterans' Day at the State Fair" in Springfield on Sunday, August 12, 2012. Admission to the fair will be free all day for Illinois veterans and their families.
The day's schedule includes:
- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Helping Our Hometown Heroes benefits fair
- 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., Memorial Service
- 12 noon, Official Program--Featuring Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the U.S. Coast Guard Silent Drill Team
- 1 p.m., Lunch
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Air Force Band of Mid America - Hot Brass
- 3:15 p.m., Parade line up at Gate 3 (near the fire station)
- 4 p.m., Parade begins
For more information, please visit the Illinois State Fair website. |
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Stand Up and
Be Counted |
Don't Forget! Stand Up and Be Counted so that you can receive assistance from one of our Veteran Service Officers -- and help us know our veteran community.
Find "Stand Up and Be Counted" at | |
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