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Military Veterans Eligible For License Designation

Starting this week, Illinois veterans will be able to get an updated driver’s license and ID card with the word “VETERAN” on the front of the card.

Secretary of State Jesse White says the designation will help ensure military veterans living in the state get services and benefits including healthcare, education and employment assistance as well as other discounts.

To obtain a "Veteran" designation on a Driver's License or State ID card, applicants must:

  • Be an honorably discharged U.S. Veteran.
  • Take your DD-214 or Certification of Military Service (NA Form 13038) to your local Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs' Office to have a certification stamp placed on your DD-214 or Form 13038.
  • Bring the certified DD-214 or Form 13038 to any Secretary of State Facility to obtain the "Veteran" designation on your Driver's License or State ID card. If the "Veteran" designation is added during the renewal of your Driver's License or State ID card, there is no additional cost. If a veteran chooses to add the designation before their scheduled renewal date, they may obtain an updated Driver's License for $5 and an updated State ID card for $10. Veterans over the age of 65 can obtain an updated State ID card at no cost.
Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.