Section 1 - Table of Contents   will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the contents of this web site.

This web site is divided into Six (6) sections, covers a wide range of topics, and will serve you well as a  ONE-STOP  Resource guide if you are seeking a job or looking for information about  Veterans Benefits, Education and Training Programs with area colleges or State or County agencies, and information about different services which are available in your community.

DIRECT LINKS TO SPECIFIC WEB SITES APPEAR IN BLUE. When you left-click with your mouse onto a blue link, you will go direct to a specific web site.

There are also many sites which allow the user to search nationwide.  Where possible, (or known to us), the links to other states are included in each group.

Family and friends who never served in the U.S. Armed Forces will find Section 1 - Table of Contents, Section 3 -Job Search, Section 5 -Education & Training, and Section 6 - Agencies very helpful.

These sites will be updated regularly, so check them often for new, corrected, or updated information.

In light of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in Somerset Co., PA, there will more individuals who will be in need of employment and other benefit entitlements.

Efforts will be made to include links to very important web sites in Section 2 - Veterans Information, and Section 4 - Veterans Benefits to assist Veterans, Reserve, National Guard personnel (and members of their families) who are about to be deployed, serve stateside and return after serving in the Middle East, Asia, and other overseas locations worldwide.

Because many Active Duty, Reservists and National Guard personnel may be deployed overseas, information regarding the "Soldiers & Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940" included in Section 2 - Veterans Information Section.
 
 

NOTE:  Many of the web sites linked in the following pages have downloadable forms (PDF Files).  In order to read or print those documents or forms Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.

This section will be very helpful for all Veterans and also provides very important information for individuals who are currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, will soon get out of military service,  have retired from military service, or have been released from active duty or discharged from military service within the last year.

Introduction

Who Are Your Veterans' Employment Representatives?   (Includes Directory of Local, Statewide and Nationwide Job Service Offices)

Recently Separated Veterans

Employment Services (Includes Directory of Local, Statewide and Nationwide Offices)

Unemployment Insurance Benefits  (Includes Directory of Local, Statewide and Nationwide Offices)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CURRENT RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD

    The Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act 0f 1940 (For Active Duty, Reserve and Guard             Personnel)

    U.S. Dept of Defense Guard and Reserve Family Readiness Programs

    USERRA – Veteran’ Reemployment Rights Laws for Veterans, Reservists
and National Guard Personnel

    TRICARE  -  Health Care for Reservists and National Guard Personnel & Families
 

Researching Occupations

    Search for Information by Occupation, Industry or Wage

Joining the Reserves or National Guard

    Local and Nationwide Army National Guard Information
    Local and Nationwide Air Force National Guard Information

Military to Civilian Job Certification & Licensure Requirements

     Using G.I. Bill to take Licensing and Certification Tests

     Information how  to obtain A & P License or A.A. Degree or Certificate in
     Aviation Maintenance Technology

Links to National Defense Contractors

Civilian Employment opportunities in the Nuclear Power Industry

Obtaining College Credits for Military Training and Work Experience

Troops to Teachers

Employment Opportunities for Teachers and Administrators

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SECTION 2 - VETERANS INFORMATION WEB SITES
 
 

This section contains links to Federal, State, County, Municipal and Private Sector Employment opportunities, researching types of jobs, salaries, prospects for re-employment, and much more.  Searching on your own, and not using many different resources, may lead to a longer period of time you remain unemployed.

You have nothing to lose by searching a wide range of resources, but you have a lot to lose by not trying.

Federal Civil Service Employment Information

            Federal Job Opportunities
           Federal Employment Applications
            Warning about scams regarding testing and training materials
            X-118 Handbook Containing Hiring Requirements for each position

            Current Civilian Job Openings with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy,
            U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard

            Current Job Openings with the Federal Aviation Administration

            Current Job Openings with the U.S. Department of Transportation (including       Federal Air Marshal, and Airport Security Screening Personnel)

            Current Civilian Job Openings with the Veterans Administration

            Current Employment Opportunities with the U.S. Dept. of Justice, F.B.I., U.S. Bureau of Federal Prisons, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and U.S. Dept. of Transportation

U.S. Postal Service Information 

Illinois State Civil Service Information, and National Guard Employment

Includes Civil Service Position Descriptions, Employment Applications, Testing Information & National Guard Information, and Civil Service Opportunities in Other States

County Employment Opportunities

Municipal Job Opportunities

Employment Opportunites with the U.S. Merchant Marines

Civilian Employment opportunities in the Nuclear Power Industry

Employment Opportunities in the Education Field  (Administrators, Teachers, etc)

Non-Traditional Jobs for Women

Apprenticeship Training ( Construction and Non-Construction Employment & Training)

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board  - Railroad Employment Opportunities

Nationwide, Statewide, and Local Law Enforcement and Fire Department Openings

USERRA – Veteran’ Reemployment Rights Laws for Veterans, Reservists and National Guard Personnel

Career and Job Search Internet Sites (This section of this web site contains links to approximately 98 different web sites, with hundreds of additional links to other job search web sites at which an employer might list a job opening you qualify for)

Small Business Administration - Starting Your Own Business

    Getting Started
    Publications - Laws and Regulations
    V.A. Assistance and Opportunities for Veterans
    SBA Services to Help Veterans
    Lending Programs
    7(A) Loan Guarantee Program for Veterans
    Assistance for Veteran and Service-Connected Veteran business owners
    S.C.O.R.E. - Counseling for Prospective and Current Owners of Small Businesses

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

     Illinois Communities On-Line
     Obtaining Permits and Licenses to Do Business in Illinois

     Nationwide and Statewide Directory of Chamber of Commerce Offices (including links to their web sites)

     Illinois Business Services

Women Veterans In Business

Links to National Defense Contractors

Researching Companies and Industries to Find The Right Job

Researching Information of Prospective Employers, including Business Directories, Business Rankings, International Business Information, Stock Market and Financial Reports and much more.

Researching Companies, Industries, and Companies within a Specific Industry, including Fortune 500 companies

Relocation ( Contains Valuable Information for Individuals Seeking to Relocate To/From Illinois)

What are you worth?

    Compare Salaries for same job in other locations!

Overseas Employment Opportunities

Labor Market Information

    Including Unemployment Rates, Employment Forecasts, Salaries, etc.

Searching Help Wanted Ads

    Nationwide, Statewide, Regional and Local Newspapers Online

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SECTION 3 - JOB SEARCH WEB SITES
 
 

Many former military personnel mistakingly believe that if they have not used their benefits within 10 years of their discharge, they have no benefits remaining.  THIS IS NOT CORRECT.

This section contains information regarding 1,000 + Federal, State and County Veterans Benefit Entitlements and how and where you can go to apply (including printable applications and on-line applications for benefits).  Included is information regarding any pending legislation and current laws for Veterans, their families, and current Reserve and National Guard Personnel.

VETERANS BENEFITS

    Federal Veterans' Benefits (V.A.) ( Including Reservists)

    Illinois Veterans' Benefits (State and National Guard Veterans' Benefits)

    Veterans Assistance Commission ( County Veterans' Benefits )

    Vet Centers - In Illinois And Nationwide

Where to Apply for Veterans' Benefits  (Includes Addresses of V.A. Regional Offices Nationwide, Statewide and County offices who assist Veterans and their families).

V.A. HEALTH CARE

Inpatient, Outpatient, Health Programs for Senior (older) Veterans, Eligibility and Location of Local, Statewide  & Nationwide V.A. Health Care Facilities, and TRICARE for Veterans age 65 and over.

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS

    Legal Rights for Veterans

    Web Sites for Women Veterans

    Legislation In the U.S. Congress Affecting Veterans

    Current Legislation in U.S. House and U.S. Senate

    U.S. Dept. of Defense Guard & Reserve Family Readiness Programs

   Soldier' and Sailor's Civil Relief Act of 1940 to help Military Personnel and their
    families when someone is deployed overseas
 

National Records Center - St. Louis, Mo.Obtain Duplicate D.D. Form 214 / Military         Records / Medals

Small Business Administration - Starting Your Own Business

    Getting Started
    Publications - Laws and Regulations
    V.A. Assistance and Opportunities for Veterans
    SBA Services to Help Veterans
    Lending Programs
    7(A) Loan Guarantee Program for Veterans
    Assistance for Veteran and Service-Connected Veteran business owners
S.C.O.R.E. - Counseling for Prospective and Current Owners of Small Businesses

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

    Illinois Communities On-Line
    Obtaining Permits and Licenses to Do Business in Illinois

     Nationwide and Statewide Directory of Chamber of Commerce Offices (including links to their web sites)

    Illinois Business Services

Women Veterans in Business

Veterans' Organization Information

    American Legion, AMVETS, V.F.W., D.A.V., Viet Now
    Directory of Veterans Service Officers
    Applying for Federal (V.A.) Veterans' Benefits
    Appealing V.A. Benefits Award Decisions
    Upgrade 'Less Than Honorable' Discharges
    Correction of Military Discharges

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SECTION 4 - VETERANS BENEFITS WEB SITES
 
 

This section provides individuals with a wide variety of information concerning changing careers, determining where to go to school, types of education programs offered at each school, Veterans benefits, financial aid, grants and scholarships, job training programs, where and how to apply and more.

Choosing a new career and/or changing careers

School Web Sites

Links to Area colleges and Universities
Links to Statewide and Nationwide Colleges and Universities

Child Care Programs for Parents Attending School

Note:  Schools offering Aviation Maintenance/Administration and Truck Driving Programs are listed here.

Computer Certification & Proficiency Exams

    Computer Certification Courses
    CLEP Proficiency Exams

Obtaining College Credits for Military Training and Work Experience

Obtaining Duplicate H.S. GED Results and Transcripts
 

Veterans Education Benefits

      Federal (V.A.) Education Benefits (Including Reservists)

     Using G.I. Bill to take Licensing and Certification Tests

     Using G.I. Bill and IL. Veterans Grant (IVG) to obtain Truck Driver Training and
     C.D.L. Driver's License

     Information how  to obtain A & P License or A.A. Degree or Certificate in
     Aviation Maintenance Technology

Illinois Veteran's Education Benefits (Including National Guard)

       Using G.I. Bill to take Licensing and Certification Tests
       Illinois Veterans and Illinois National Guard Grant Programs

       Federal Financial Aid, Grants and Scholarship Information

Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship Training (Construction Trade and Non-Construction Occupations), including open enrollment periods, wages and benefits and much more

V.A. Education Benefits for Participants in approved apprenticeship programs

U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training Approved County, Statewide and Nationwide Apprenticeship Training Programs

Non-Traditional Jobs for Women

Work Force Investment - Job Training Programs

Statewide Listing of WIA Approved Training Programs
Kane County Department of Employment & Education

Resources for Individuals With Disabilities

Americans With Disability Act
JAN - Job Accommodation Network
Disability Resources On-Line

Training for Handicapped Individuals / Service-Connected Disabled Veterans

VR&E - V.A. Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services (Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities)

IL Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services ( All Individuals with non-service connected disabilities)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SECTION 5 -  EDUCATION & TRAINING WEB SITE
 
 

This section will provide individuals with information about services and programs offered by various Federal, State, County and local goverment agencies such as I.R.S.; IL. Dept. of Revenue;  Social Security; Medicare; Labor Laws; Vital Records (Birth, Death, etc.); the Illinois Employment Service and Unemployment Insurance programs; Health Insurance for Individuals, Seniors, and Children; Services for Low Income individuals, and much more.

Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.)

Illinois Department of Revenue

Illinois Department of Employment Security

    Unemployment Insurance Benefits
    Employment Service Programs (Job Service)
 

Small Business Administration - Starting Your Own Business

    Getting Started
    Publications - Laws and Regulations
    V.A. Assistance and Opportunities for Veterans
    SBA Services to Help Veterans
    Lending Programs
    7(A) Loan Guarantee Program for Veterans
    Assistance for Veteran and Service-Connected Veteran business owners
    S.C.O.R.E. - Counseling for Prospective and Current Owners of Small Businesses

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

     Illinois Communities On-Line
     Obtaining Permits and Licenses to Do Business in Illinois
     Illinois Business Services

Women Veterans In Business

Social Security Administration

O.S.H.A. (Occupational Safety)

Guide to 50 State & Local Governments on the Internet

Illinois Department of Human Services

        Public Aid
        Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
        Dept. of Mental Health & Development Disabilities
        Dept. of Alcohol & Substance Abuse
        Dept. of Public Health
        Dept. of Children & Family Services

        Child Care Programs for Parents Attending School

Legal Assistance

    Prairie State, Attorney Search, State and National Bar Associations

Vital Records

    Duplicate Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates and Divorce Decrees, including resources to help you obtain vital records from other states, territories and countries overseas.

IL. Department of Human Rights

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.)

IL Industrial Comission (Worker's Compensation)

IL Dept. of Professional Regulation(Licensure or Certification to work in certain occupations)

Insurance for Individuals, Seniors and Children

    CHIPS - Comprehensive Health Insurance
    Senior Health Insurance and Free Drug Medication Programs
    KIDS NOW - Health Insurance for Kids

Illinois Department on Aging

Resource House - Listing of Social Service & Community Based Organizations

Assistance for Low Income Individuals

    Circuitbreaker (Utility Bills)
    Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
    Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs
    Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Programs

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SECTION 6 - AGENCIES WEB SITES
 
 

       SITE BORN ON DATE:  4/15/2001     SITE UPDATED: 07/27/2002