A Letter from the Director of Veterans Affairs Maj. Deanna "De" Love, USA, Ret.
Greetings Cook County Veterans, Service Members and Families!
The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs (CCVA) wishes you all a very Happy New Year! We are saddened to announce the departure of Deputy Director Major Myles Tweedy. Deputy Director Tweedy has returned to active duty service, and although we lose a team member at the County, the United States Marine Corps regains a field grade officer. Deputy Director Tweedy joined the County family in April 2023, and during his time with CCVA, he was an impactful leader that embedded himself into the military community. His departure is bittersweet. We thank him for his time and service and wish him the best on the next leg of his career.
Congressman Jackson’s Utility and Resource Fair
At the Dr. Martin Luther King Service Center, U.S. Congressman Jonathan Jackson hosted a critical resource fair for the residents on November 27, 2023. Over a dozen organizations and service providers attended this fair to provide resources to the residents of the community. The CCVA was honored to assist the veterans in attendance and their families.
Veterans Day 2023
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other dignitaries for a ceremony to recognize our nation’s veterans in honor of Veterans Day. The ceremony was held on November 11, 2023, at Soldier Field.
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Each year, Cook County joins the nation in the commemoration of Veterans Day – a time to honor and celebrate the service and sacrifices of the nation’s service members. In 2023, Cook County honored the veterans that continue their service as County employees during the annual Veterans Day Employee Recognition Program. In addition to the annual program and reception, CCVA also announced and welcomed the newest round of Honor Grant Recipients.
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On Friday November 10, 2023 over 200 Veterans joined at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for their annual veterans luncheon. Veterans from every era of conflict dating back to WWII were recognized and honored for their service. |
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Veterans Business and Resource Summit
The Office of Contract Compliance and Department of Veterans Affairs collaborated for the first ever County Veterans Business and Resource Summit. The October 27, 2023, event was held at the Prairie State College Conference Center. The summit was dedicated to supporting and empowering veterans on their entrepreneurial journey. More than 50 veteran business owners participated in panels and workshops led by City of Chicago, County and State of Illinois business certifying officials, tax preparation professionals and veteran business service organizations.
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Vets Town Hall
The Chicago Veterans spearheaded the Vets Town Hall for County Veterans. The October 25, 2023, event was supported by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, CCVA and the City of Chicago Department of Veterans Affairs at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. The Vets Town Hall was founded by author Sebastian Junger to give veterans of any era, who have served in any capacity, the opportunity to stand before their community and supporters and speak for up to ten minutes about what it was like to serve their country. Speakers were welcomed with a reception and resource fair with over a dozen County service organizations.
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Illinois State Tuition Waiver Try-Outs
On September 30, 2023, more than 130 students joined the Army cadre and Chicago Fire Battalion Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets to compete for the Illinois State Tuition Waiver (ISTW) on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The ISTW is a merit-based incentive program for Illinois students interested in exploring and pursuing a career in the U.S. Army. The Fire Battalion will host the next round of tryouts on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the UIC headquarters located at 728 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60607. For more information and scholarship opportunities provided by our Army ROTC program, please visit: https://rotc.uic.edu/scholarships/
SE4 Career and Resource Fair
CCVA partnered with the Boeing Company and the University of Chicago on September 29, 2023, to host the Autumn 2023 SE4 (Supportive Services, Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Engagement) Career Fair. The September 29 event was co-hosted by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, Chicago Commission on Human Relations, National Able Network, Chicago Brigade, Blue Star Families and Veteran Business Project. More than three dozen veteran service organizations were on hand to assist attendees.
Brookfield Zoo Event
CCVA was honored to announce the return of its annual Veterans Resource Fair at the Brookfield Zoo on September 28, 2023. Military community members had the opportunity to connect with 24 veteran service organizations. Additionally, CCVA honored and celebrated the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legions of Cook County, commemorating their continued service to fellow veterans and their local communities.
Veteran Business Certification
On August 21, 2023, the office of Contract Compliance partnered with CCVA to host Unlocking Access to Veteran Certification, a webinar for veteran business owners. More than 50 veterans attended the panel comprised of representatives from CCVA, Contract Compliance and the Elite Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Network to receive an in-depth breakdown of the County certification process. Certified veteran-owned businesses have the opportunity to compete for lucrative contracts throughout the County.
Source Grant
CCVA joined the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED) to announce the launch of the Source Grant on July 20, 2023. This grant provides essential funding and business resources to small businesses that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. CCVA provided BED with $1 million to assist veteran-owned small businesses over the next two years, having received over 1,400 applications from veteran-owned businesses. This funding is crucial in empowering veterans to grow their businesses and helps to create a better Cook County for everyone.
Vets and Pets
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control joined CCVA to host the first ever Vets and Pets vaccination and microchip clinic on July 1, 2023. The clinic providing vital services for the pets of veterans and active service members at no cost. 173 pets were serviced during the event.
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JROTC Staff Ride
At Carver Military Academy, the staff of Chicago Public School’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) joined together on June 22, 2023, for the 3rd Brigade Conference. During this three-day conference the instructors of the largest JROTC program in the country came together for workshops, training and briefings. CCVA briefed the group about the programs and services provided by the County.
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1865 Fest
On June 16, 2023, the 1865 Coalition thanked African American veterans for their service during the 1865 Fest Juneteenth Military Honors Reception. June 19, 1865, now celebrated as Juneteenth, marks the day that African American soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger marched into Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3. This order informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free. This act marked the official end of slavery in America, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Know an organization that serves veterans in Cook County? Help spread the word and support. Email your submission for Cook County’s Organization to Know to veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov.
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Questions
If you have any questions, please email Maj. Deanna "De" Love at veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov or call (312) 603-6423.
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