Free Veterans Career Expo Set for June 2

Submitted by the Illinois Tollway.

Downers Grove, IL - The Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Salute the Armed Forces will host a free Veterans Career Expo on Thursday, June 2, in Chicago to provide information and assistance to military veterans interested in working for the state of Illinois, other government agencies and Northern Illinois businesses.

The Veterans Career Expo will help connect prospective workers with public- and private-sector employers and jobs and is being held as part of the Tollway’s ongoing outreach to veterans, to foster access to contracts and sustainable jobs for former servicemen and women.

“We are honored to assist veterans in finding jobs and beginning careers, including educating them about opportunities to work at the Illinois Tollway and the firms we do business with to improve our roadways,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. “We appreciate the support from our partners to help servicemen and women connect with resources and businesses they need to succeed.”

The Veterans Career Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7, 1412 W. Washington St., Chicago. To register, visit www.veteranscareerexpo.com. Pre-registration closes May 31. Onsite registration will be available beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 2.

The Veterans Career Expo will offer the opportunity for veterans to meet one-on-one with nearly 20 businesses, state and local agencies and construction trades to learn about employment readiness resources and job opportunities. In addition, the event will include breakout sessions highlighting information about state job opportunities, as well as training in resume building and interviewing skills.

“This event is all about providing employment opportunities for veterans,” said Ed LeTourneau, executive director of Salute the Armed Forces. “We want to provide our veterans with a wide range of job options and training programs, including careers with state agencies. But this event also will feature private-sector businesses that are looking for new employees and trade unions who want veterans to enroll in their training programs, which will prepare them for good-paying, long-term careers.”

Veterans attending the Veterans Career Expo also may obtain new Illinois drivers licenses or state ID cards specially designated for veterans to make it easier for them to receive services and benefits. The ‘Veteran’ designation comes at no additional cost for licenses or ID cards, though if veterans choose to add the designation before their scheduled renewal date, they may obtain an updated license for $5 and an updated ID card for $10.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Mobile Unit will be at the event allowing attendees to receive the ‘Veteran’ designation, renew drivers licenses, obtain identification cards and purchase vehicle stickers. Veterans wishing to obtain the licenses or ID cards at the event will need to present DD-214 documentation, which must be certified by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

“There is no greater honor than serving your country and our veterans can now proudly display their service on their driver’s license and ID card, which will help them receive the services and benefits they richly deserve,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

“The ‘Veteran’ designation on our Illinois drivers’ licenses was initiated as a joint effort between the Secretary of State’s office and the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide our veterans with a convenient way to exhibit their service. Our mission is to serve those who have served,” said Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Erica Jeffries. “Our veterans have given their service to our nation and now, every time they use their state identification, Illinoisans will have the opportunity to say ‘Thank you for your service!’”

Veterans Career Expo participants will be able to explore current career opportunities at private-sector businesses such as UPS and Blue Cross Blue Shield, along with state agencies, including the Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Local and regional government agencies, including the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace also will provide information about employment opportunities.

Trade groups, including Pipefitters Local 597 and Plumbers Local 130, will offer information about career training programs available to veterans.