A Message from the Director
Dear Veterans:
This newsletter contains information about services and events geared to assist our veteran community including, City of Chicago - No Fee Veteran Sticker, Honor Flight Chicago applications, VA compensation and other benefits and services you have earned.
April has been designated as the month of the Military Child – a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide with an emphasis on the experience of the dependent children of military members. We urge all to observe the month by showing appreciation to the children and youth of military and veteran families, including children of the fallen, for standing by their parents and loved ones who are serving or have served as members of the armed forces.
And we are once again honored to announce that Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners will recognize veterans at the Silver Star Families Banner program on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. This program will recognize those veterans who served in a war zone, have been wounded by enemy action or who have been injured or contracted a serious illness that could be rated at least 10 percent disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Cook County Veterans Affairs encourages you to share this information with other veterans and their dependents, and to use this newsletter as a reference tool for upcoming veteran activities, events and workshops. Please visit the Cook County Veterans Affairs website at www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/veterans-affairs.
If you would like Veterans Affairs to address a specific topic, please email your suggestions to veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov.
Sincerely,
Bill Browne, Director
Cook County Veterans Affairs
Helpful Links
City of Chicago – No-Fee Veteran Sticker
The City of Chicago launched a pilot program to provide free City Stickers for many of Chicago’s veterans. For more information, visit:
Honor Flight Chicago
Honor Flight Chicago is accepting applications for 2019. Priority is given to WWII and Korean War veterans. Vietnam veteran applications are prioritized based upon the date they are received. For more information, visit:
https://www.honorflightchicago.org/how-to-apply/veteran
VA Compensation 101
Find out more about benefits you may be eligible for based on service-connected disabilities. For details, visit:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation
Discharge Upgrade
Find out what you need to do to apply for a discharge upgrade. Details are available here:
https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions
Military Service and Social Security
Learn about increased Social Security benefits for vets. For more information, visit:
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf
Upcoming Events
Valor Games Midwest 2019
Tuesday, August 13 – Chicago Hilton
Wednesday, August 14 – Soldier Field
Thursday, August 15th – Armour Square Park
For questions, contact Andrew Grose, Chicago Park District at 312-745-2172
Silver Star Service Banner Application
Veterans who were wounded in a war zone or are rated as at least 10 percent disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are encouraged to apply for the Silver Star Service Banner. Recipients will be recognized at the Cook County Board Meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. You can download the application here, or find additional information and applications at www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/veterans-affairs.
Looking for a Job?
When applying for employment with Cook County Government, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days, or during war time. For current employment information, please visit the links below.
Offices Under the President:
www.cookcountyil.gov/current-job-listings
Forest Preserves District:
http://fpdcc.com/about/jobs/
Health and Hospitals System:
www.cookcountyhhs.org/about-cchhs/human-resources/careers/
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