Effective this week, IDVA's Veterans' Service Office in Lawrenceville has moved to a new location

SPRINGFIELD – Earlier this week, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) relocated its Lawrenceville Veterans’ Service Office from the Illinois Department of Employment Security office to the Lawrenceville City Hall, 700 East State Street, Lawrenceville, IL 62439.

The new location will continue to be staffed by Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Ken Ferguson, who can be reached at (618) 943-6189. Office hours will be maintained from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Lawrenceville Veterans’ Service Office is part of a statewide network that serves about 1.2 million veterans by increasing awareness of available state and federal benefits. Offices are staffed by VSOs who provide accurate, up-to-date information, answer questions, assist with paperwork and filing of claims for federal, state and local benefits completely free of charge.

Assistance provided by VSOs includes:
• Compensation Benefits and Document Assistance – Combat and service-related bonus payments and compensation, DD214 certificates.
• Survivor and Burial Benefits – Graves registration, grave markers.
• Educational Benefits – G.I. Bill, Troops to Teachers, Scholarships.
• Employment Benefits – Employment preference, Jobs for Vets program.
• Real Estate and Permits – Homestead and Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead exemptions, Adapted Housing exemptions, camping and admissions fees, hunting and fishing licenses.
• Referral Assistance – Facilitating access to federal VA health care and counseling services.
• Illinois Veterans Homes – Assist in applying for admission to one of four state-managed homes throughout Illinois.

For more information, please visit www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824.