The VAC of Winnebago County is proud to partner with veterans’ service organizations both locally, statewide and federally. The organizations below are ready to serve you and your family as you have served our country.
Veterans Small Business AssistanceSBA offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership. Look for funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities.
To help you succeed, our custom courses are available in-person and online. Learn the basics of owning a business and get access to SBA resources. You will also hear from small business experts.
Veterans Business Program (VBP)VBP assist businesses owned by qualified service disabled and veteran-owned business gain access to State of Illinois contracting opportunities and participation in the competitive procurement process.
In order for a business to qualify as a Veteran Owned Business and participate in the program your business must be ALL of the following:
• At least 51 percent owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veteran or veterans
living in Illinois (Public Act 097-0260, Public Act 098-0307)
• Applicant(s) must have valid DD214
• Annual gross sales of less than $150 million
• Home office in Illinois
Heroes With Hearing Loss® is about reconnecting veterans with the people who are most important in their lives, including their families, friends, colleagues, communities and healthcare professionals. We accomplish this by providing lifestyle-focused solutions and information that minimize the impact of hearing loss.
You may receive Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) services to help with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. To learn more about the VR&E program, review the VR&E Process page, and the tabs and links on this page. Click on the “How to Apply” tab to apply for VR&E services.
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Assisting veterans in finding family sustaining and meaningful employment is a top priority at IDES. The American Job Center staff provide veterans with priority of service for employment services (does not apply to unemployment insurance). In addition, Illinois has over 30 American Job Centers and offices located throughout Illinois that provide a full array of employment focused services to assist veterans. Training services are available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act partners that are collocated at each American Job Center.
Honoring Those Who Served is our commitment to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of our nation’s veterans. The rendering of military funeral honors is one of the ways to show the nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. The ceremonial playing of Taps, the folding of the American flag and presenting it to the next-of-kin are the final demonstrations that a grateful nation can provide to veterans’ families.
VA HUD-VASH ProgramThe HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities.
The Attorney General’s Military and Veterans Rights Bureau is dedicated to ensuring that veterans and active duty military service members receive the benefits they have earned. The bureau provides men and women with assistance, including case advocacy, health outreach and public advocacy forums. For more information on the services our office provides, please see the links below or contact the Military and Veterans Rights Bureau
Military & Veterans Rights Request for Assistance Form
The mission of Prairie State Legal Services is to ensure equal access to justice and fair treatment under the law by providing legal advice and representation, advocacy, education, and outreach that serve to protect basic human needs and enforce or uphold rights.
PSLS envisions a community where all low-income, elderly and vulnerable people have ready access to legal services to meet their basic needs and where everyone knows, understands and can exercise their rights and be treated fairly in their pursuit of justice.
The mission of the Veterans Justice Programs is to identify justice-involved Veterans and contact them through outreach, in order to facilitate access to VA services at the earliest possible point. Veterans Justice Programs accomplish this by building and maintaining partnerships between VA and key elements of the criminal justice system.
Rockford Vet CenterWe offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Our services include counseling for needs such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.
Our outpatient clinic provides primary care and specialty health services, including mental health care, nutrition and dietary care, physical and occupational therapy, podiatry (foot care), social work, and more. Below, you’ll find our address and hours, parking and transportation information, and the other health services we offer at our Rockford VA Clinic.
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
At the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and Clinics, we serve 95,000 Veterans across 19 counties in Wisconsin and Illinois. Our health care teams are guided by the needs of our Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Find out which of our six Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Primary Care Clinics located in Madison, Beaver Dam, Baraboo, and Janesville, WI as well as Freeport and Rockford, IL is near you. Manage your health online, check out upcoming events and sign up for email updates. We are committed to providing all eligible Veterans with exceptional health care services.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides energy assistance to residents in the form a benefit paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is here to help you navigate the many federal, state, and local resources and benefits available to veterans. Whether you have a specific question or would simply like us to help identify programs and benefits for which you may be eligible, our Veteran Service Officers are standing by to help.
By Standing Up to Be Counted, you will also be assisting your fellow veterans by helping IDVA and the entire veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of whom and where Illinois’ veterans are. This will help us plan for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding and facilities, and generally serve Illinois’ veterans better.
The Veterans Assistance Commission
of Winnebago County
555 N. Court Street, Suite 300
Rockford, IL 61103
The best way for us to help you is for you to call for an appointment in advance so you don’t have to wait to be seen.
Please call: 815-516-2850
