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On behalf of the Cook County Department of Veteran Affairs, welcome to spring!
This Issue: Employment & Educational Resources
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The Veterans Affairs Quarterly Newsletter will highlight various topics to provide assistance and guidance through outreach and support services.
This quarter’s newsletter will feature employment and educational resources.
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Cook County Veterans' Hiring Preference
Veterans’ Preference is provided to eligible applicants seeking employment with Cook County. This preference is afforded to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces on active duty for a period of no less than six months of continuous service and who have not been dishonorably discharged. View current openings on the County’s website. To be considered for Veterans’ Preference, applicants must:
- Be a veteran at the time of application.
- Meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
- Identify themselves as a veteran on their employment application by answering ‘yes’ to the question: Are you a military veteran?
- Attach a copy of their notice of separation (DD214, DD215 or NGB 22).
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) is an umbrella organization operating the public workforce system between the City of Chicago and Cook County.
The Partnership combines federal and philanthropic resources to provide comprehensive workforce development services to employers and job seekers. In 2020, The Partnership received $4 million from Cook County in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. The support comes as part of the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Job Training and Placement Program (the Program), which provides funding to train and place individuals who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding supports training, placement and career coaching programs for job seekers and provides additional resources for employers and training providers serving or located in suburban Cook County. To learn more, visit The Partnership’s website.
VA Education and Training Benefits
VA education benefits help veterans, service members and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program and getting career counseling. Learn how to apply for and manage the education and training benefits you've earned on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Leave No Veteran Behind
Leave No Veteran Behind (LNVB) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that invests in veterans to build better communities through employment training, transitional jobs and our veteran educational debt relief scholarship. LNVB invests in heroes who have served their country honorably and assists those looking to continue their service as assets in communities across America.
LNVB addresses veteran student debt head on with its Retroactive Scholarship program. Unlike most scholarships, this award is given after higher education has been completed and student loan debt has occurred because the veteran was not covered under existing educational programs. Read more about this scholarship opportunity on Leave No Veteran Behind’s website.
LNVB is also addressing the issues of veteran unemployment and underemployment. Read more about the employment process on Leave No Veteran Behind’s website.
Illinois National Guard on Frontlines of COVID-19 Pandemic
Cook County is grateful to the men and women in the Illinois National Guard who have been called to serve on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. These Guardsmen are vaccinating thousands of County residents each day and assisting with operations at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office surge center. Thank you to these men and women for playing a crucial role in ensuring our residents remain safe and healthy.
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As a token of appreciation, President Preckwinkle, representatives from USO Illinois and others visited the County’s mass vaccination site at South Suburban College to pass out goodie bags to the men and women in the Illinois National Guard assisting with administering vaccines. |
Did You Know?
Cook County Launches "My Shot" Campaign
Cook County launched a new public awareness campaign called “My Shot.” A collaboration between Cook County Government, Cook County Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health. The campaign is data-driven and rooted in the principles of equity to encourage people who may be reluctant to get vaccinated, especially among the County’s most vulnerable communities.
Help us spread the word. Visit the “My Shot” campaign website, for vaccine FAQs and resources as well as a toolkit with graphics and posts for community groups to share.
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Veteran and Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses
Cook County provides preference to Veteran and Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. View current contracting opportunities on the County’s website.
Veteran Driver’s License
Military veterans living in Illinois who have received an Honorable or General under Honorable Conditions discharge are able to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license to receive the services and benefits for which they are entitled. Visit any Secretary of State Driver Services facility. To view the required documentation, visit the state’s website.
Other Resources
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
Ways to Stay Connected
Please share this information with family and friends. We will continue to help each other.
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