Your editor just received an email from the Illinois Dept of V.A. that announced they hand just launched online access to their Veteran Service Officers. This new web function is located at (just click) www.veterans.illinois.gov and they are encouraging all Illinois Veterans to "Stand Up and Be Counted" by submitting basic contact information to IDVA.
Veterans who do so will be contacted within 48 hours by one of their Veterans Service Officers, who stand ready to assist them in navigating the many federal, state and local benefits and resources available to them. Also, Veterans who Stand Up To Be Counted will also be assisting their fellow Veterans by helping IDVA and the entire Veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of who and where Illinois' Veterans are. This will help with planning for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding & facilities, and generally serve Illinois' Veterans better.
Also, while surfing the IDVA site, your editor stumbled across a booklet from Governor Quinn which outlines "bonuses" for Veterans. The State of Illinois offers a one-time bonus for Veterans who served honorably during a time of war. Certain medals are needed to qualify. Veterans or their survivors may apply at their nearest service office. More information is available at (click) www.veterans.illinois.gov and then click on BENEFITS, and then BONUS.
World War II Bonus:
A bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service is payable for those who served on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945 and received an honorable discharge.
Korean War Bonus:
A $100 Korean War bonus is payable to Veterans who served between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1953, received the Korean Service Medal, and were a resident of Illinois for 12 months prior to entering service.
Vietnam War Bonus:
The Vietnam War $100 bonus is payable to Veterans who served between January 1, 1961 and March 28, 1973 and those who served in Operation Frequent Wind, April 29 and 30, 1975. The Veteran must have received either the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, been an Illinois resident for 12 months prior to entering the service, and discharged honorably.
Persian Gulf War Bonus:
A $100 Persian Gulf War bonus is for those who served between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, were honorably discharged, and were a resident of Illinois 12 months immediately prior to entering the service. (Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf War may apply)
Global War on Terrorism (new):
A $100 bonus is available to those who served on or after September 11, 2001 and who received the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and had been a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering the service.
Veterans who do so will be contacted within 48 hours by one of their Veterans Service Officers, who stand ready to assist them in navigating the many federal, state and local benefits and resources available to them. Also, Veterans who Stand Up To Be Counted will also be assisting their fellow Veterans by helping IDVA and the entire Veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of who and where Illinois' Veterans are. This will help with planning for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding & facilities, and generally serve Illinois' Veterans better.
Also, while surfing the IDVA site, your editor stumbled across a booklet from Governor Quinn which outlines "bonuses" for Veterans. The State of Illinois offers a one-time bonus for Veterans who served honorably during a time of war. Certain medals are needed to qualify. Veterans or their survivors may apply at their nearest service office. More information is available at (click) www.veterans.illinois.gov and then click on BENEFITS, and then BONUS.
World War II Bonus:
A bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service is payable for those who served on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945 and received an honorable discharge.
Korean War Bonus:
A $100 Korean War bonus is payable to Veterans who served between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1953, received the Korean Service Medal, and were a resident of Illinois for 12 months prior to entering service.
Vietnam War Bonus:
The Vietnam War $100 bonus is payable to Veterans who served between January 1, 1961 and March 28, 1973 and those who served in Operation Frequent Wind, April 29 and 30, 1975. The Veteran must have received either the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, been an Illinois resident for 12 months prior to entering the service, and discharged honorably.
Persian Gulf War Bonus:
A $100 Persian Gulf War bonus is for those who served between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, were honorably discharged, and were a resident of Illinois 12 months immediately prior to entering the service. (Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf War may apply)
Global War on Terrorism (new):
A $100 bonus is available to those who served on or after September 11, 2001 and who received the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and had been a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering the service.
