Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

What Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs does

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) is a state government agency, operating since 1886, that serves approximately 480,513 veterans in Illinois (FY26) and their families through a diversified service portfolio. Its primary operations are (a) five state-run Veterans' Homes—Quincy (founded 1886, 366 skilled nursing beds and 88 independent living apartments), Manteno (1986, 304 beds), LaSalle (1990, 190 beds), Anna (1994, 50 skilled nursing beds and 6 independent apartments), and Chicago (opened January 2022, 200 private rooms)—providing skilled nursing, memory care, and domiciliary services, and (b) a statewide network of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) that delivered benefits assistance to 21,623 veterans and dependents in FY2026. IDVA also runs specialized programs including the Prince Home for homeless veterans (15 bedrooms at Manteno), the VetHer BeWhole Venture Lab for women veteran entrepreneurs, the Veterans Conservation Corps (joint with Illinois DNR), and the Governor's Challenge suicide prevention initiative. The agency employs approximately 1,300 professionals under Director Terry Prince (appointed April 2021).

IDVA is funded through Illinois state appropriations, federal VA grants and per-diem payments, Illinois Lottery Veterans Instant Ticket proceeds (Veterans Cash Grants), and resident maintenance contributions capped at $1,659–$1,720 per month (waived for veterans with 70–100% service-connected disability). Core technology consists of government enterprise systems for benefits administration, case management, and DD214 military records storage. The agency's go-to-market is direct service delivery via in-person VSO offices across Illinois, the five physical Veterans' Homes, and the veterans.illinois.gov web portal, supplemented by partnerships with federal VA, IDES, CMS, DHS, and statewide veteran organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV).

Recent strategic activity includes a $300 million capital investment at the Quincy Veterans' Home completed in 2025 (two new state-of-the-art buildings with 210 private long-term care rooms and 88 independent living apartments), the 2022 opening of the Chicago Veterans' Home, and execution of the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan targeting expanded veteran outreach, women veterans programming, and behavioral health services. The 2023–2027 plan frames Illinois as "a national leader in veteran advocacy and services."

Name

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

Legal name

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

Website

https://veterans.illinois.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is a state agency serving approximately 480,000 Illinois veterans through five Veterans' Homes, a statewide Veteran Service Officer network, and programs spanning benefits assistance, skilled nursing care, education, employment, housing, and specialized support for women veterans, homeless veterans, and Gold Star families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterans Services and Long-Term Care

NAICS

Administration of Veterans' Affairs (92314), Administration of Veterans' Affairs (923140), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAHAL

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYBPAIAKAI

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Social Security, Benefits & Welfare Administration

SECONDARYHLAFAAAH

Veterans/Military Hospitals & Federal Health Systems

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Acute Care Hospitals & Health Systems

Keywords

• Veterans benefits assistance
• Skilled nursing care
• Long-term residential care
• State veterans services
• Benefits navigation

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Taxpayer Funding: Funded through Illinois state government appropriations and taxpayer dollars as a state agency
2. Veterans' Home Resident Contributions: Monthly maintenance charges based on resident income; maximum $1,659-$1,720 per month depending on income; veterans with 70-100% service-connected disability pay no monthly maintenance charge
3. Illinois Lottery Veterans Instant Ticket: Funds raised through the Illinois Lottery Veterans Instant Ticket (Winter Winnings - $2 ticket, up to $20,000 prize) distributed to veteran service programs in Illinois
4. Federal VA Grants and Programs: Receives federal funding through various VA programs including grants for MIA/POW scholarships and other veteran services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) is a state government agency that delivers benefits assistance and long-term residential care to Illinois veterans. It operates five Veterans' Homes providing skilled nursing, memory care, and domiciliary services, and maintains a statewide network of Veteran Service Officers who help veterans access federal, state, and local benefits including education, employment, healthcare, housing, legal aid, and survivor/burial benefits.

Product overview

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) is a state government agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of veteran services rather than a commercial product. The agency operates five Veterans' Homes (Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, Quincy) offering skilled nursing and domiciliary care; maintains a statewide network of Veteran Service Officers for benefits assistance; and delivers specialized programs including behavioral health services, education benefits, employment resources, housing assistance, legal aid, and survivor benefits. Key programs include the Prince Home for homeless veterans, Women Veterans Program with the VetHer entrepreneurship initiative, Veterans Conservation Corps, Veterans Cash Grants funded by lottery proceeds, and the Governor's Challenge suicide prevention initiative. IDVA serves approximately 480,513 veterans across Illinois (FY26) through direct care facilities and coordinated partnerships with federal, state, and nonprofit organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Veterans' Homes: Five residential veterans homes providing skilled nursing, memory care, and domiciliary services across Illinois
• Veterans Service Officers (VSO)
• VetConnections Newsletter

Products and services

• Illinois Veterans' Homes (Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, Quincy)

Quantifiable outcome

• 480,513 veterans in Illinois served in FY26
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Federal agency partnership for veteran healthcare, education benefits (GI Bill), compensation and pension programs. VA certifies Illinois Veterans' Homes and provides oversight. IDVA coordinates with VA medical centers for resident healthcare and specialist services.
• Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership providing dedicated personnel for veteran employment assistance. Helps veterans find jobs, access job training, and navigate employment resources.
• Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership providing dedicated personnel for veteran employment assistance. Manages state employment system and veteran hiring preference programs.
• Illinois Department of Natural ResourcessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program (Veterans Conservation Corps) allowing veterans to volunteer on conservation and habitat restoration projects, continuing military service tradition while protecting Illinois natural resources.
• Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. Provides mental health services and suicide prevention resources for veteran community.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline / Veterans Crisis LinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational crisis hotline partnership connecting veterans to mental health support. Veterans can call 988 then press 1, or text 838255, or chat online for immediate crisis intervention.
• Rush: Road Home ProgramsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health care and wellness program for veterans of all eras, service members and their families provided at no cost regardless of discharge status. Located at Rush University Medical Center.
• K9s for VeteranssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing trained service dogs to veterans with PTSD to help transition back to civilian life. Contact: 773-854-1000.
• Military OneSourcesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree Department of Defense service providing expert support to connect military personnel and families with resources. Available 24/7 at 800-342-9647.
• Illinois Attorney General's OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Veterans Benefits Guide and legal resources for veterans and service members' rights, services, and protections under Illinois law.
• Illinois LotterysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllinois Lottery Veterans Instant Ticket (Winter Winnings - $2 ticket, up to $20,000 prize) raises funds distributed by IDVA to veteran service programs across Illinois.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership through Governor's Challenge program for suicide prevention among service members, veterans, and their families.
• Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance CommissionssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide organization of county-level veteran assistance commissions providing local veteran benefits assistance and advocacy across Illinois counties.
• Statewide Veteran OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of veteran service organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV, Marine Corps League, etc.) providing additional services, volunteer support, advocacy, and community connections for Illinois veterans.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Wounded Warrior Project: Major national nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans with mental health, physical rehabilitation, and career programs. Adjacent peer that complements rather than competes with IDVA — both serve the same population but with different scope (nonprofit services vs. state benefits/facilities).
• American Legion: Major congressionally chartered veterans service organization with Illinois posts providing local benefits assistance, advocacy, and community programs. Listed as a core IDVA channel partner; serves as the connective tissue between IDVA's statewide VSO network and local veterans.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): National nonprofit providing free benefits assistance and advocacy to veterans, with statewide chapters that often partner with state veterans agencies. Adjacent peer serving overlapping mission of helping veterans access federal and state benefits.

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: Operates six state Veterans Homes providing skilled nursing and domiciliary care, plus statewide benefits assistance. Comparable state-level veterans services agency with similar facility and benefits delivery model.
• Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs: Operates six state Veterans' Homes across Florida and provides statewide benefits assistance. Directly comparable state veterans affairs agency delivering skilled nursing, domiciliary, and benefits services.
• California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet): Operates the largest state veterans home system in the U.S. (eight Veterans Homes including skilled nursing and domiciliary), plus the CalVet home loan program. Directly comparable state-level veterans services agency serving a comparable large veteran population.
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Texas state veterans agency administering veterans homes, land loans, and benefits assistance. Comparable state-level entity providing residential skilled nursing and benefits navigation services to veterans.
• New York State Department of Veterans' Services: State veterans services agency providing benefits navigation, statewide VSO network, and coordination with federal VA. Directly comparable in mission and delivery model, though New York does not operate state skilled nursing homes at the same scale.
• Ohio Department of Veterans Services: Operates Ohio Veterans Homes (the same system IDVA Director Terry Prince previously led with 850 employees across three facilities). Directly comparable state veterans agency model with skilled nursing and domiciliary services for veterans.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: The federal-level veterans affairs agency that administers federal benefits, healthcare through VA medical centers, GI Bill education, and certifies state Veterans' Homes. IDVA coordinates directly with the federal VA for benefits, healthcare, and home certification, making it the most strategically significant peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-department-of-veterans'-affairs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs