Press Release - Sunday, May 25, 2008
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Gov. Blagojevich urges Veterans to apply for state benefits; announces statewide Veteran Service Office Open Houses
CHICAGO- As the people of Illinois commemorate the lives of our nation's Veterans who died defending our country this Memorial Day, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the state's 51 Veteran Service Offices will all host Open Houses throughout the coming months for Veterans, their families, and survivors of fallen service members. The Veteran Service Offices house the state's 73 Veteran Service Officers, who offer help to Veterans and their families in applying for and receiving compensation and benefits from the federal VA and the state. The Governor is also encouraging residents to spread the word about the state programs over the course of Memorial Day to help ensure that Veterans and their families get the benefits they fought for and deserve.
"Today we honor all those who lost their lives serving our country, give thanks to those who have fought for our freedoms, and pray for those who are still fighting today. But in addition to the various parades and ceremonies, let's make sure that our state's military heroes know about all of the benefits they are entitled to," said Gov. Blagojevich. "Our Veteran Service Offices will be hosting Open Houses over the coming months and I am asking all Illinois residents to tell a friend, family member, or neighbor that state benefits are available to our Veterans. Together we can make sure that no Illinois Veteran is left in the dark."
Veteran Service Offices serve as sign-up locations and informational hubs for the state's programs and benefits, including the following:
· Illinois Warrior Assistance Program - Illinois became the first state in the nation to launch a Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program for returning Illinois veterans. The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-866-554-IWAP (4927), which is staffed by health professionals to assist Veterans, day or night, with the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) screening to all interested Illinois veterans, especially those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Warrior Assistance Program also makes TBI screenings mandatory for all returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard. More information is available at www.illinoiswarrior.com.
· G-I Loan for Heroes - Last May the state announced the G-I Loan for Heroes program, making Illinois the first state in the nation to offer a comprehensive homeownership package to Veterans and active duty service men and women. The program offers a low-interest rate first mortgage for 80 percent of the purchase price of a new home and an interest-free second mortgage of up to $40,000 dollars for the remaining 20 percent of the purchase price.
· Veterans Care -Veterans Care provides affordable, comprehensive health care to Illinois Veterans who are uninsured or do not qualify for coverage through the federal Veterans Administration. Under the first phase of Veterans Care, Veterans who don't have access to health insurance would be covered. Participants who take part in the pilot program would be charged a $40 monthly premium. Prescription drugs and doctors office visits would require a minimal co-payment, ranging from $6 to $15.
· Veterans' Jobs Tax Credit - Employers can earn an income tax credit of up to $600 dollars annually for every qualified Veteran hired after January 1, 2007. The credit is available for Veterans who were members of the Armed Forces, the Armed Force reserves, or the Illinois National Guard on active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The following is the list of 2008 statewide Veteran Service Office Open Houses:
|
LOCATION |
DATE |
TIME |
|
135 W. Grant St. Macomb, IL 61455 |
June 2, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
362 North Linwood Road Galesburg, IL 61401 |
June 4, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
10 Collinsville Ave. E. St. Louis, IL 62201 |
June 13, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
101 N. 4th St, Room 203 Effingham, IL 62401 |
June 18, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
1707 N. 12th St. Quincy, IL 62301 |
June 18, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
Dept. of Human Services RR #1, Box 418 Lawrenceville, IL 62439 |
June 20, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
716 6th Ave. Rock Falls, IL 61071 |
June 20, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
113 W. Main Street Bensenville, IL 60106 |
July 2, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
2900 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60435 |
July 3, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
10451 N. 2nd St., Rm. 158 Machesney Park, IL 61115 |
July 3, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1 Veterans Dr. Manteno, IL 60950 |
July 3, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
6610 W. Cermak Rd. Berwyn, IL 60402 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
100 W. Randolph, Ste.5-570 Chicago, IL 60601 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
5200 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Room 101-103 North Chicago, IL 60615 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1551 N. Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL 60615 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
2122 W. Taylor, Suite 127 Chicago, IL 60612 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
Dept. of Human Services 1647 W. 59th St., 2nd Fl. Chicago, IL 60636 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1010 Dixie Highway, Suite 211 Chicago Heights, IL 60411 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
515 E. Thacker Des Plaines, IL 60016 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
14700 Ravinia Rd. Orland Park, IL 60462 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
721 S. Quentin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
13838 S. Springfield, Rm 132 Robbins, IL 60472 |
July 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
713A E. Church St. Harrisburg, IL 62946 |
July 14, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
223 W. Stephenson St., Ste. 201 Freeport, IL 61032 |
July 15, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
600 E. Main St., Ste. 6 Salem, IL 62881 |
July 16, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
3001 Green Bay Rd. Bldg. 135 ground floor North Chicago, IL 60064 |
July 17, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1301 Sunset Ridge Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098 |
July 17, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1521 W. Walnut Jacksonville, IL 62650 |
July 18, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
600 E. University, Rm 111-114 Urbana, IL 61802 |
July 29, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
3133 N. Woodford St., Ste. 2B Decatur, IL 62526 |
August 6, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1504 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL 61201 |
August 7, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
825 W. Reynolds, Suite 110 Pontiac, IL 61764-2341 |
August 8, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
500 W. Main St. Benton, IL 62812 |
August 14, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
110 E. Nicholas Carlinville, IL 62626 |
August 22, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
111 N. East Street Kewanee, IL 61443 |
August 26, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
254 Raymond St. Elgin, IL 60120 |
September 9, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
#1 Doctors Park, Suite G Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 |
September 9, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
900 Lake Street Rm 205 Aurora, IL 60506 |
September 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
10 S. Jackson St., Ste. 102 Belleville, IL 62226 |
September 12, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
421 County Farm Rd. Room 1-800 Wheaton, IL 60187 |
September 12, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
323 Fulton Plaza Peoria, IL 61602 |
September 15, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
617 Walnut St. Murphysboro, IL 62966 |
September 22, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
2309 W. Main St., Ste. 122 Marion, IL 62959 |
October 8, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
105 E. Main Cross Taylorville, IL 62568 |
October 9, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
833 S. Spring St. Springfield, IL 62704 |
October 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
112 Broadway Ave. East Mattoon, IL 61938 |
October 15, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
1623 Washington Ave. Alton, IL 62002 |
October 17, 2008 |
10 - 3pm |
|
2 S. Main St. Princeton, IL 61356 |
November 10, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
212 W. Fairchild Danville, IL 61832 |
November 12, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
|
1616 S. Main St., Rm 15 & 16 Bloomington, IL 61701 |
November 19, 2008 |
10 - 2pm |
For more information about the statewide Veteran Service Office Open Houses, call the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs at 1-800-437-9824. A full list of the Veteran Service Offices can be found on IDVA's website at www.state.il.us/agency/dva/offices.htm.
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