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Peoria-Area Veteran Business Summit This Friday |
 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 Bartonville, Ill. is for you.
This is a great opportunity for you to learn about procurement opportunities with the State of Illinois, plus other federal and local government agencies. In addition, many not-for-profit organizations and local government agencies that provide various resources to small business owners will be in attendance, including Governors State University's Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp, the International Franchise Association, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Hosted by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) and Illinois Central Management Services (CMS), this free program will also assist veterans become certified as veteran-owned business in the State of Illinois and be eligible for the 3-percent goal of all state contracts and services.
The "Mission: Veterans 2 Entrepreneurs" Summit will take place from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., on Friday, September 28, 2012 at American Legion Post 979, 4501 Airport Road, Bartonville, IL 61607. To RSVP for the event, please call (312) 814-1272 or email [email protected]. |
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'Hiring Our Heroes' Returns To Chicago Sept. 27th |
Sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Hiring Our Heroes Career Expo is returning to the Chicago area. If you're an unemployed or underemployed veteran, Guard and Reserve member, or eligible spouse, please check out this program.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27th at Loyola University Chicago's Gentile Arena, 6511 N. Winthrop Ave. See official US Chamber of Commerce promotional flyer for more information or visit the official Hiring Our Heroes website. |
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Inaugural Illinois Women Veterans Fair Oct. 27th | |
The College of DuPage will be the site of the first Illinois Women Veterans Fair, which is set to begin at 12 noon on Saturday, Oct. 27th.
This event promises to be an exciting, worthwhile event with a full program of informational sessions and broad participation from federal, state, local, and non-profit entities serving women veterans. The program is intend to draw together the community of Illinois Women Veterans to educate them about resources at their disposal and to generate discussion and awareness on the issues they face.
The event will take place in the Student Services Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. For more information and to register, please download the accompanying event agenda.
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| 'Women Vetrepreneurship Program' Being Planned | |
 In an effort to stem high unemployment among female veterans, IDVA is partnering with the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) to develop the Women Vetrepreneurship Program (WVP), which will target women veterans who are considering business ownership as a path towards economic security, independence, and empowerment.
More than 35 percent of female veterans are unemployed, according to a recent Clinton Foundation survey, but there's reason to believe that the figure is much higher due to a lack of self identification on the part of some female veterans.
IDVA and WBDC are grateful to have received funding from the McCormick Foundation to plan and deliver a one-year pilot of WVP. Women veterans who participate will receive specialized guidance in entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, business counseling, direct lending, and business mentoring, as well as critical social, veteran benefit, and other support services offered and arranged through collaborating partners and existing veteran organizations in the greater Chicago area. Child Care will be provided for participants while attending program activities.
To learn more about the WBDC, please visit www.WBDC.org. For more information on the WVP, please contact Georgia Marsh at [email protected]. |
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Honor Your College For Being Veteran-Friendly |
 The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is now accepting fall semester nominations for the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education. Illinois colleges or universities that contribute to the betterment of student veterans and their families are eligible for the honor.
The nominated school must be a licensed, degree-granting school in the state of Illinois.
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Director Anaya Named October Vet Of The Month |
 | | Jesse Brown VA Dir. Anaya (left) accepts Gov. Quinn's proclamation from IDVA Dir. Borggren |
The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) has honored Michael Anaya Sr., a Hinsdale resident and veteran of both the US Air Force and US Navy, as its October 2012 "Veteran of the Month."
Anaya serves as Medical Center Director of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago.
"Director Anaya has parlayed a distinguished career in military healthcare into highly effective leadership and advocacy in the veteran healthcare system," said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. "A staunch advocate on all veteran-related issues, Michael has a keen understanding of veterans' needs and has worked tirelessly to develop strategic relationships and partnerships to improve support for veterans in the Chicago area."
Anaya served in the US Air Force (1979-1989) as a Pharmacy Technician and the US Navy (1989-2000) in the Medical Service Corps, while concurrently working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Midwestern State University. He retired in 2001 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
For more information about Anaya, see 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. |
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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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