If you are a veteran within 18 months of release from an Illinois detention facility, Illinois Department of Employment Security veterans representatives assess your strengths and needs, bring you up to date on your benefits, verify your service and then help you line up short-term housing, special employment programs and health services. Group classes cover resume writing, interview skills, overcoming a felony conviction, dressing for success, obtaining VA benefits, applying for and keeping a job, and critical housing needs. Partner agencies can help with expungement or sealing of records, pardons and Certificate of Relief of Disability information, fidelity bonding, federal bonding and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The program runs at 14 facilities: Big Muddy River, Centralia, Danville, Decatur, Dixon, East Moline, Lincoln, Pinckneyville, Robinson, Shawnee, Southwestern, Taylorville, Vandalia and Vienna.
Ask the counselling or programs staff at your facility to refer you, or contact the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Whatever service documentation you have; the veterans representative helps verify your service if you do not have your DD214.
