Illinois military retirement pay tax
Illinois does not tax any qualified retirement income, including TSP.
Illinois disabled veteran license plate
Eligibility: Two paths: (1) Disabled Veteran plate — military-service disability + physician certification qualifying for a disabled plate/placard. (2) ISERVE plate — 50%+ SC rating that does NOT itself qualify for a disability plate.
How to apply: Local DMV or mail to IL Secretary of State, 501 S. 2nd St, Howlett Bldg, Springfield IL 62756, with VA rating letter, DD-214, and physician certification.
Agency: Secretary of State
Registration, parking, and toll notes
First set of plates free (registration fee included) for either plate type.
No dedicated disabled-veteran toll program confirmed in Illinois.
Illinois property tax benefits
2026 SHEVD review: 30-49% service-connected disability reduces equalized assessed value (EAV) by $2,500; 50-69% by $5,000. At 70% or higher, the first $250,000 EAV is exempt, not an uncapped entire-home exemption. Apply through the county assessment office; annual renewal has a certified 100% permanent-and-total exception.
How to apply in IllinoisIllinois education benefits
Illinois Veteran Grant and Illinois National Guard Grant cover qualifying tuition/fees at Illinois public colleges under different service and application rules. The separate University of Illinois Children of Veterans tuition waiver has limited competitive awards.
Illinois recreation benefits
Veterans receiving 10%+ service-connected compensation or total VA disability pension can obtain an IDVA hunting/fishing affidavit, including nonresidents. Permits remain separate. Illinois-resident veteran camping relief has narrower eligibility and requires its own certification card; utility charges can remain.
How to apply for recreation benefitsEducational disclaimer
VetOps is not VA, a VSO, DMV, DOT, a tax advisor, or a government agency. This guide is educational only, does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice, and does not guarantee benefits or tax outcomes.