Governor Quinn Announces Site for New Veterans' Home in Chicago

CHICAGO – November 10, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the site of the Illinois Veterans’ Home at Chicago, a 200-bed facility that will begin construction in 2010. The $65 million project is part of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital plan, signed into law by Governor Quinn earlier this year.

“On the eve of Veterans Day, when we officially honor our country’s true heroes, I am pleased to announce the site of this important home for Chicago-area veterans,” said Governor Quinn. “The Veterans’ Home at Chicago will provide a quality, modern facility that will meet our veteran’s needs and improve the quality of their lives.”

The Veteran’s Home at Chicago is expected to create 200 jobs and is the first veterans’ home to be built in Illinois with all-new construction. It will be separated into five, 40-bed units, including a wing specifically for Alzheimer and dementia patients. The facility will also be built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards.

“Over half of Illinois’ 1.2 million veterans live in the Chicago area, and we’re proud that this new facility will be able to serve them,” said Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) Director Dan Grant. “The Veteran’s Home at Chicago will be a tremendous benefit for Chicago-area veterans and their families.”

The Veterans’ Home at Chicago will be built on approximately 10 acres at 4200 North Oak Park Avenue on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The location was selected because of its proximity to Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and its accessibility to public transportation.

Construction is expected to last 12 to 14 months, and the facility will be the fifth veterans’ home located in Illinois and the first in Chicago. It will be supervised by the IDVA, which also supervises four other veterans’ homes in Anna, LaSalle, Manteno and Quincy. IDVA also operates the Prince Home, a 15-bed facility for homeless and disabled veterans at Manteno.