Flag

“It's the duty of all of us on the home front to take good care of those who bore the battle.”

President Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural

“For their service and sacrifice, our brave members of America’s armed forces have inspired people across the state for many generations. I am thankful to my father and all servicemembers who have gone forward in the face of danger to protect the freedoms of those at home. While we could never repay our veterans who have borne the battle, we need to continue to protect those who have protected us. That means making sure our veterans have access to job opportunities, education and safe and affordable housing. Today and always, Illinois should stand as the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.”

Gov. Pat Quinn, November 11, 2014

View The Portrait

Illinois is home to three major military bases: Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Lake County, Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, and the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island County. When military service members are assigned duty in Illinois, their spouses may have a harder time finding a job since professional regulation is different in each state.

That’s why on June 26, 2012, Gov. Pat Quinn joined First Lady Michelle Obama to sign the Illinois Military Family Licensing Act (Public Act 97-710) . The law allows 16,000 military members and their spouses who relocate to Illinois for military service to get temporary expedited licenses or certification in more than 50 professions, such as teachers, doctors, nurses, dentists, plumbers, paramedics, social workers, dieticians, and therapists. This gives military families more portability for their professional credentials.

“More military spouses will be able to advance in their careers. More businesses, hospitals and schools will get the talented, experienced workers they rely on. More families will have the income they need and financial security they deserve. And military families will know that America has their back.”

First Lady Michelle Obama

As Governor, Pat Quinn served as Commander in Chief of the Illinois National Guard. In July 2009, Gov. Quinn visited Illinois servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan after 3,700 Guard members were deployed in the largest deployment of Illinois National Guard since World War II.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Announcing State Investment in New Housing for Homeless Veterans.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Urging People Across Illinois to Support "Operation Hero Miles" this Holiday Season.