Veteran Resource Directory

Chicago and Cook County 

Government & Veteran Benefit Agencies 

Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) 
• Website: vaccookcounty.org
• Phone: 312-603-3866 
• Description: Helps Veterans navigate and apply for federal VA claims, emergency financial assistance, and local benefits. 

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) 
• Website: veterans.illinois.gov
• Toll-Free: 800-437-9824 
• Chicago Office: 312-814-2460 
• Description: Connects Illinois Veterans and families with benefits, service officers, military records, education programs, healthcare, and other earned services. 

Military & Veterans Rights Bureau, Illinois Attorney General 
• Website: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
• Phone: 800-382-3000 
• Description: Enforces employment rights and consumer-protection laws for military personnel and Veterans. 

VA Fiduciary Program 
• Website: va.gov/fiduciary
• Phone: 888-407-0144 
• Description: Supports Veterans and beneficiaries unable to manage their VA benefits by appointing and monitoring fiduciaries. 

VA Fiduciary Intake Center 
• Address: 
  VA Fiduciary Intake Center 
  P.O. Box 5211 
  Janesville, WI 53547-5211 
• Fax: 888-581-6826 
• Online Contact: ask.va.gov
• Description: Accepts evidence related to fiduciary cases via mail or fax; questions may be submitted through Ask VA. 

VA Assistance with MST-Related Claims 
• Website: va.gov
• Phone: 800-827-1000 
• Office Visits: Walk-in or scheduled 
• Virtual Appointments: May be available 
• Description: MST outreach coordinators assist Veterans with MST-related claims, decision reviews, and benefits access. 

VA Healthcare and Specialized Veteran Programs 

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center 
• Website: va.gov/chicago-health-care
• Address: 820 South Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612 
• Main Phone: 312-569-8387 
• Toll-Free: 800-591-4815 

Jesse Brown VA Women Veterans Health Clinic 
• Website: va.gov/chicago-health-care/health-services/women-veteran-care
• Address: Same as above 
• Phone: 312-569-8387 
• Women Veterans Program Manager: Asya Brodsky, LCSW, CADC, CST 
• Description: Provides primary care, maternity coordination, screenings, gynecology, mental-health care, peer support, and gender-affirming services. 

Jesse Brown VA Military Sexual Trauma Care 
• Website: va.gov/chicago-health-care/health-services
• Phone: 312-569-8387 
• MST Coordinator: Ellen Koucky, Ph.D. 
• Direct Line: 312-569-6784 
• Email: ellen.koucky2@va.gov 
• Description: Confidential care for Veterans who experienced sexual assault or harassment during service. 

Jesse Brown VA Homeless Veteran Care 
• Website: va.gov/chicago-health-care
• Phone: 312-569-8387 
• Description: Housing support, HUD-VASH, healthcare, case management, and community connections. 

Jesse Brown VA Minority Veteran Care 
• Website: va.gov/chicago-health-care
• Coordinator: Debbie Rafael Shanley, LCSW 
• Phone: 773-565-5384 
• Email: Debbie.RafaelShanley@va.gov
• Description: Supports minority Veterans by promoting benefits access and addressing barriers. 

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital 
• Website: va.gov/hines-health-care
• Address: 5000 South 5th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141 
• Main Phone: 708-202-8387 

Edward Hines Jr. Women Veterans Health Clinic 
• Website: va.gov/hines-health-care/health-services/women-veteran-care
• Address: Same as above 
• Phone: 708-202-8387 
• Women Veterans Program Manager: Brenda Fritz 
• Email: brenda.fritz@va.gov 
• Description: Comprehensive women’s healthcare, including gynecology, maternity care, ultrasounds, mental-health care, and wellness services. 

Hines VA Military Sexual Trauma Care 
• Website: va.gov/hines-health-care/health-services 
• MST Coordinator: Nelupa Sulani Perera, Ph.D. 
• Phone: 708-202-8387 ext. 22692 
• Description: Confidential MST-related counseling and psychiatric care. 

Women Veterans Call Center 
• Phone/Text: 855-829-6636 
• Description: Connects women Veterans with healthcare services and program managers. 

Legal Aid & Pro Bono Networks 

Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN) 
• Website: ilaflan.org
• Phone: 855-452-3526 
• Description: Statewide hotline offering free civil legal advice and referrals. 

Legal Aid Chicago 
• Website: legalaidchicago.org
• Phone: 312-341-1070 
• Description: Free civil legal representation for low-income residents and Veterans. 

Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) 
• Website: cvls.org
• Phone: 312-332-1624 
• Description: Connects clients with volunteer attorneys for free civil legal services. 

Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) 
• Website: cookcountylegalaid.org
• Phone: 855-956-5763 
• Description: Assists residents with eviction, foreclosure, debt, and property-tax issues. 

Law School Clinics 

UIC Law Veterans Legal Clinic 
• Website: law.uic.edu
• Phone: 312-413-0245 
• Description: Supports VA appeals, discharge upgrades, and diversion court participants. 

Loyola University Chicago School of Law Veterans Practicum 
• Website: luc.edu
• Phone: 312-915-7745 
• Description: Provides pro bono civil legal representation for Veterans and families. 

University of Illinois College of Law Veterans Clinic 
• Website: law.illinois.edu
• Phone: 217-244-9494 
• Description: Handles civil legal issues such as family law, expungements, consumer disputes, and discharge upgrades. 

Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, University of Chicago 
• Website: law.uchicago.edu
• Phone: 773-702-9611 
• Description: Legal help in housing, civil rights, and employment for low-income residents. 

Restorative Justice & Court Diversion Programs 

Veterans Restorative Justice Project (VRJP), University of Chicago 
• Website: veterans.uchicago.edu
• Phone: 773-702-9494 
• Description: Provides research, policy guidance, and reintegration support for justice-involved Veterans. 

Cook County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 
• Website: cookcountycourtil.gov
• Phone: 312-603-5030 
• Description: Offers treatment-based alternatives for eligible Veterans. 

Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) 
• Website: va.gov
• Phone: 224-610-5295 
• Description: VA program assisting justice-involved Veterans with court navigation and services. 

Restorative Justice Community Courts (Cook County) 
• Website: cookcountycourtil.gov
• Phone: 312-603-1941 
• Description: Uses restorative practices and community repair for eligible nonviolent cases. 

Veteran Service Organizations at the Chicago VA Regional Office 

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 
• Suite: 104 
• Website: dav.org
• Phone: 312-980-4242 
• Email: vavbachi.dav@va.gov
• Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:00–11:30 & 12:30–3:00; Wed 8:00–11:30 
• Walk-Ins: Tue and Thu 
• Description: Free assistance with VA disability claims, pensions, and appeals. 

AMVETS 
• Suite: 109 
• Website: ilamvets.org/veterans-claims
• Phone: 312-980-4256 / 312-980-4258 
• Hours: Wed 8:00–12:30 
• Appointments only 
• Description: Accredited VA claims and appeals assistance. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 
• Suite: 105 
• Website: vfw.org
• Phone: 312-980-4284 
• Email: vavbachi.vfw@va.gov
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–3:00 
• Appointments only 
• Description: VA disability claims, appeals, and pensions assistance. 

American Legion 
• Suite: 106 
• Website: legion.org
• Phone: 312-980-4266 
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30–3:30 
• Walk-Ins: 11:00–1:00 (based on availability) 
• Description: Accredited VA claims and benefits assistance. 

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) 
• Suite: 126 
• Website: pva.org
• Phone: 312-980-4278 
• Email: CatrinaH@pva.org 
• Hours/Walk-Ins: Mon–Fri 8:30–4:00 
• Description: Specialized support for spinal-cord injury/disease Veterans. 

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) 
• Suite: 127 
• Website: veterans.illinois.gov
• Phone: 312-980-4512 
• Email: Charles.bosko@illinois.gov
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30–3:00 
• Walk-Ins: Mon–Fri 8:30–3:00 for records and licensing 
• Description: State and federal benefits assistance and military records access. 

Nonprofit Veteran Organizations 

Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) 
• Website: illinoisjoiningforces.org
• Phone: 833-463-6453 
• Description: Network connecting Veterans with healthcare, housing, employment, legal services, and more. 

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) 
• Website: woundedwarriorproject.org
• Phone: 888-997-2586 
• Description: Programs for post-9/11 Veterans and families, including mental health, physical wellness, financial support, and benefits help. 

The Chicago Lighthouse Veterans Program 
• Website: chicagolighthouse.org
• Phone: 312-666-1331 
• Description: Job training, education, and employment services for blind or disabled Veterans. 

Volunteers of America Illinois 
• Website: voaillinois.org
• Phone: 312-564-2300 
• Description: Transitional and supportive housing, employment readiness, and stabilization for Veterans facing homelessness.