Illinois Veteran Benefits

A+

Benefits organized by category so you can quickly compare tax relief, education support, recreation perks, and more.

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How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks near the top nationally thanks to standout tax relief and strong support across Property Tax, Income Tax, Education, Employment.

Quick categories

🏠 Property Tax 💰 Income Tax 🎓 Education 💼 Employment 🎣 Recreation 🏥 Healthcare ⭐ Other

🏠 Property Tax

7 tracked items

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption (RVHE)

Rating: None

$5,000 reduction of equalized assessed value for two consecutive tax years upon return from deployment.

Eligibility: Service members returning from active conflict deployment. Source

Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption - 30-49%

Rating: 30-49%

$2,500 reduction in equalized assessed value of primary residence.

Eligibility: Veterans with 30-49% service-connected disability. Source

Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption - 50-69%

Rating: 50-69%

$5,000 reduction in equalized assessed value of primary residence.

Eligibility: Veterans with 50-69% service-connected disability. Source

Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption - 70%+

Rating: 70%+

Full property tax exemption on primary residence.

Eligibility: Veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Source

WWII Veterans Full Property Tax Exemption

Rating: None

For tax years 2024+, WWII veterans are exempt from property taxation regardless of disability level.

Eligibility: Veterans who served during World War II. Source

Specially Adapted Housing Exemption

Rating: Per VA SAH eligibility

Up to $100,000 reduction on assessed value for homes purchased/modified with federal Specially Adapted Housing grants. Mobile homes exempt from county mobile home tax.

Eligibility: Disabled veterans with federally-funded specially adapted housing, used exclusively by the veteran. Source

Surviving Spouse of KIA Full Exemption

Rating: None (KIA)

Unmarried surviving spouses of service members killed in action receive full property tax exemption on primary residence.

Eligibility: Unmarried surviving spouses of KIA service members. Source

💰 Income Tax

2 tracked items

Military Retirement Pay Full Exemption

Rating: None

Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are completely exempt from Illinois state income tax.

Eligibility: All military retirees and SBP recipients. Source

Active-Duty Pay Full Exemption

Rating: None

Active-duty military pay is exempt from Illinois state income tax.

Eligibility: Active-duty service members. Source

🎓 Education

4 tracked items

Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program

Rating: None

Covers resident tuition and mandatory fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges. Up to 120 eligibility units. Excludes housing and refundable fees.

Eligibility: Illinois residents (6 months pre-service or 15 years post-service). 1+ year active duty. Honorable discharge. Must return to IL within 6 months of discharge. Source

POW/MIA Dependent Scholarship

Rating: None (POW/MIA)

Tuition equivalent to four calendar years of full-time enrollment at state institutions for dependents of POW/MIA veterans.

Eligibility: Dependents of POW or MIA veterans. Source

POW/MIA Dependent Grant ($250)

Rating: Any disability or deceased

$250 financial assistance per child (ages 10-18) of disabled or deceased veterans.

Eligibility: Children ages 10-18 of disabled or deceased veterans. Source

Children of War Conflict Veterans Tuition Waiver

Rating: None

Four-year in-state tuition waiver at University of Illinois for children of war conflict veterans.

Eligibility: Children of veterans who served in armed conflict. Source

💼 Employment

3 tracked items

State Job Hiring Preference

Rating: None

Honorably discharged wartime veterans receive hiring preference for state employment.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged wartime veterans. Source

Police/Firefighter Education Waiver

Rating: None

Educational requirements waived for honorably discharged veterans with relevant campaign medals for state police and firefighter positions.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans with Afghanistan/Iraq campaign medals (State Police). Source

Military Spouse Expedited Licensing

Rating: None

Temporary six-month expedited professional license while pursuing full licensure.

Eligibility: Military spouses. Source

🎣 Recreation

3 tracked items

Free Hunting & Fishing License (10%+)

Rating: 10%+

No license required for veterans receiving 10%+ service-connected disability compensation or total disability pension.

Eligibility: Veterans with 10%+ disability compensation or total disability pension. Source

Reduced-Price Hunting & Fishing License

Rating: None

Reduced-price licenses for veterans who served abroad.

Eligibility: Veterans who served outside the United States. Source

Lifetime Camping Fee Waiver

Rating: 100% or POW or limb loss

Lifetime camping fee waiver for 100% disabled veterans, former POWs, and veterans with service-connected limb loss.

Eligibility: 100% disabled veterans, former POWs, or veterans with service-connected limb loss. Source

🏥 Healthcare

2 tracked items

Illinois State Veterans Homes

Rating: None

Five facilities in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. Wartime veterans prioritized. Monthly costs based on income.

Eligibility: Veterans with 1+ day of service. Wartime veterans prioritized. Source

Prince Home Homeless Veterans Program

Rating: None

Residential program at Manteno providing housing and supportive services for homeless veterans.

Eligibility: Homeless veterans. Source

⭐ Other

5 tracked items

Wartime Service Bonuses ($100)

Rating: None

$100 bonus for service during Korea (1950-53), Vietnam (1961-73), Persian Gulf (1990-95), or GWOT (2001-present). Requires relevant service medals and 12-month IL residency pre-service.

Eligibility: Veterans with wartime service medals and Illinois residency. Source

POW Compensation

Rating: None (POW)

$50 for each month held captive by hostile forces in southwest Asia (for those entering service Jan 1, 1961+).

Eligibility: Former POWs held in southwest Asia. Source

Vietnam Veteran Survivor Benefit

Rating: None (service-connected death)

$1,000 payment if veteran's death is service-connected or direct result of service-connected disabilities.

Eligibility: Survivors of Vietnam-era veterans with service-connected death. Source

Veterans Cash Program (Housing Nonprofits)

Rating: None

State monetary support to nonprofits assisting veterans with housing and homelessness.

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations serving veterans. Source

State Veterans Cemeteries

Rating: None

Illinois Veterans Center Cemetery (Manteno) and Illinois Veterans Home Cemetery (Quincy).

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans and eligible dependents. Source
⚠️ Verify Before You Rely: State veteran benefits change frequently. The information above is summarized for general guidance and may not reflect the most current laws, amounts, or eligibility requirements. Always verify with your state VA office or state Department of Veterans Affairs before making financial decisions. Last reviewed: April 2026.