Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions regarding applying for IDVA job titles,

it is recommended that you contact the IDVA Human Resources Office

prior to submitting an application.

You may email us at: IDVA.Employment@illinois.gov

IDVA – Human Resources Central Office

833 S. Spring

Springfield, IL 62704

(217) 782-5765

The mission of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) is to empower veterans and their families to thrive. We do this by assisting them in navigating the system of federal state and local resources and benefits; by providing long-term health care for eligible veterans in our Veterans' Homes; and by partnering with other agencies and non-profits to help veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges.  A career with the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs provides a rewarding and challenging opportunity.  Working together, we create partnerships and experiences that engage and inspire our fellow co-workers and the veterans and their family members that we serve every day.

If you have a desire to contribute to this mission, please review this employment information and apply for positions which best fit your interests.

IDVA is an equal-employment opportunity agency, and offers its employees competitive salaries as well as a generous benefit package:

• Paid time off through earned vacation, sick, holidays and personal days;
• Retirement plan and pre-tax savings programs;
• Health, life, dental and vision insurance;
• Upward mobility program (for bargaining unit employees) Upward Mobility is a continuing education program to earn a degree (either bachelor's or master's) that is affiliated with many state positions; and
• Offices located throughout the state, giving employees the opportunity to transfer or accept a promotion in another area of the state.

A: Background investigations are conducted during the final hiring process and utilized in confirming the selected applicant for hire.

• A criminal background check involves candidates selected for hire and requires a fingerprint based criminal history check completed by the Illinois State Police.
• Drug testing (as applicable).
• Employment reference checks and educational verifications are conducted.
• Candidates must possess the physical, visual and auditory abilities required to carry out assigned duties, with a valid Drivers license and daily access to a vehicle (for applicable titles).
• Language testing for titles that have a language option.
• Employee Licensure review testing for applicable titles.
• Successful completion of required training for applicable titles.

A: The State of Illinois provides a hiring system which allows you to create a profile enabling you to apply for various positions through a profile you create.  Please join our talent community at https://career-hcm20.ns2cloud.com/careers?company=SILHCM20P1  

A: Most salaries are set by provisions of various collective bargaining agreements.  CMS has established guidelines for determining salaries for those new to state government (prior salary may require written documentation for verification). The salary may not go outside the pre-determined salary range for that title.

A: If you are fluent in both English and another language, orally and written, be certain to include that information in your profile. 

Please note: If you are selected to be interviewed at IDVA for a bilingual position, your bilingual skills will be tested. Failure to pass the bilingual certification for a bilingual position will result in not being selected for that position. We encourage bilingual candidates to apply for both the bilingual and non-bilingual option.

A: Yes. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act, state agencies must ensure that the employment process is accessible to persons with disabilities. Specifically, the state shall provide reasonable accommodations upon request by individuals participating in all steps of the employment process. This includes the initial testing phases of the candidate selection process for state positions as well as the subsequent employment interview process. If you need an accommodation during an IDVA job interview, please contact the IDVA Human Resources Office.

Step 1: Create your profile. This will enable you to apply for posted positions and receive information about opportunities matching your interests https://career-hcm20.ns2cloud.com/careers?company=SILHCM20P1

Step 2: Secure Veterans Status

Under State law, qualified veterans seeking employment with the State are entitled to points added to a passing grade.  All veterans will be required to submit a certified copy of their DD214/DD215 as proof of service at the time of application. https://illinois.jobs2web.com/content/Veterans-Outreach-Program/?locale=en_US

Step 3: Apply for positions as instructed on the specific job posting.
 

Please Note:

• The Diversity Enrichment Program (DEP) improves the diversity of the state's workforce by actively recruiting well-qualified minorities, females, and persons with disabilities for employment with the agencies, boards, and commissions under the jurisdiction of the Governor. https://cms.illinois.gov/personnel/dep.html

• Many titles are covered by collective bargaining agreements which often provides internal bidding and/or Upward Mobility advancement before filling from outside applicants.  Employees covered by those agreements may have contractual rights over non-state employees.

Our Veterans' Homes

We take great pride in the fact that our Veterans' Homes provide the highest quality skilled care and a homelike environment to aging veterans and military spouses. Our Homes are an essential part of our commitment to the veteran community, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve veterans and their families.
 

Illinois Veterans’ Home at Chicago

 The Illinois Veterans' Home at Chicago welcomed its first residents in January 2022. Situated on Chicago's northwest side, the home offers 200 private rooms with baths. Its open floor plan creates community around pods of living and dining spaces. The home accommodates veterans seeking skilled nursing and memory care.

Illinois Veterans' Home at Anna

The Illinois Veterans' Home is located in the Anna-Jonesboro community in Union County. This modern, single story structure opened in August 1994. Situated on 16 acres, the Home provides light, intermediate, and skilled nursing care services to eligible veterans. The Home has a 50-bed nursing care capacity and twelve beds in six adjoining apartment-style domiciliary units.
 

Illinois Veterans' Home at LaSalle

The Illinois Veterans' Home at LaSalle opened in December 1990. Located in a residential area on the northeast side of LaSalle in LaSalle County, on a campus of slightly more than four acres, the Home provides intermediate and skilled nursing services for veterans. They have a total capacity of 200 beds including 40 special needs beds for veterans suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias.
 

Illinois Veterans' Home at Manteno

The Manteno Veterans' Home opened in 1986, located east of the city of Manteno in Kankakee County, located on a 122-acre campus and comprised of four major nursing care units and two ancillary service and support buildings. With a total capacity of 340 beds, the Manteno Home offers a broad and diverse range of programs and services to eligible veterans, including a separate program for homeless veterans.
 

Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy

The Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy is located in the northern part of picturesque, historic Quincy in Adams County. The Quincy home, founded in 1886, is the largest and oldest of the Illinois Veterans' Homes. It was the original Soldiers and Sailors Home until 1974 when the name was changed. In 2021, this home began a $230 million construction enhancement project to upgrade and replace many of its aging building and provide upgraded amenities to its veteran residents.

Sitting on 210 beautiful acres, the Home provides a broad range of facilities and services including domiciliary, intermediate and skilled care. With a total capacity of 683 beds, over 400 veterans and their spouses are currently in residence. The Home also provides a special needs unit for care of members with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Sunset Cemetery, located on the campus, provides interment and perpetual care for eligible veterans and spouses. Over 7,000 veterans and spouses, dating back to the Civil War are at rest here.

Assessment Center locations administer testing by appointment ONLY.

James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Suite 3-300
Chicago, IL 60601-3220
(312) 793-3565 (voice)
Illinois Relay Center (800) 526-0844

*A government-issued photo ID is required in order to enter the JRTC building.*

Check in time for tests:

Clerical and non-clerical tests are administered between 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

To test for the following titles testers must arrive and be ready to test before 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday: Data Processing Administrative Specialist, Data Processing Specialist, Disability Claims Adjudicator Trainee, HR Asst., HR Assoc., Insurance Analyst II, Telecommunicator Trainee as well as Dictation exams.

Capital City Center
130 W. Mason Street, Second Floor
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 524-1321 (voice)

Check in time for tests:

Clerical and non-clerical tests are administered between 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

To test for the Revenue Tax Specialist Trainee title testers must arrive and be ready to test before 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

To test for the following titles testers must arrive and be ready to test before 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday: Data Processing Administrative Specialist, Data Processing Specialist, Disability Claims Adjudicator Trainee, HR Asst., HR Assoc., Insurance Analyst II, Telecommunicator Trainee as well as Dictation exams.

State Regional Office Building
2125 South First Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 278-3435 (voice)

State Regional Office Building
2309 West Main Street, Suite 126
Marion, IL 62959
(618) 993-7005 (voice)

E. J. "Zeke" Giorgi Center
200 South Wyman
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-7004 (voice)

Applicants who are hearing impaired can contact the Illinois Relay Center at 1-800-526-0844.

• The State of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Applications must be submitted to the contact listed on the posting. CMS Division of Examining & Counseling as well as the Assessment Center locations will no longer accept applications. 
• All electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones must be turned off prior to entering the test room. Failure to do so will result in removal from the test room and disqualification for that test.
• Per the Personnel Rules an applicant shall not be permitted to retake a multiple-choice and/or performance examination until 30 days has elapsed.
• Exams may be cancelled or limited to certain localities without notice based on hiring needs.
• To promote safety and security as well as assure that testing standards are maintained, children will not be allowed to accompany parents/caretakers into the testing room during testing.