Do Your Part is made possible by
Do Your Part
State Toolkit
Do Your Part States is in partnership with ...
And made possible by ...
Explore How States are Supporting Military Families
Across the country, states are advancing thoughtful policies, programs, and partnerships that strengthen support for military and veteran-connected families. This toolkit brings together those efforts in one shared, accessible place.
Select a state on the map to explore local initiatives, or browse the full database below to discover ideas and opportunities being activated nationwide.
Darker shaded states are a Do Your Part state.
Search the Database
BSF Ideas
BSF Ideas
Populations
Topics
States
Keywords
Legend
Defense State Liaison Office (DSLO) priority.
Spotlight initiative for state.
Search Results
Please use the filters above to view search results.
Coordinates the state's activities and acts as a communications center for issues relating to current and former military bases in Illinois. There is a specific subcommittee that focuses on improving quality of life for military service members, veterans, and military families across Illinois with an emphasis on healthcare, education, employment, and any other issues related to quality of life.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Illinois offers 40 distinctive military license plates to honor the service of active-duty service members, veterans, and eligible family members.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Illinois participates in occupational licensing compacts, allowing military spouses to transfer credentials and maintain employment across state lines, supporting workforce continuity and family stability.
Illinois Veteran Entrepreneurship Program
Illinois supports veteran entrepreneurs through business training and resources, helping veterans start, grow, and sustain successful businesses after military service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois Joining Forces is a statewide network of 200+ community partners providing collaborative support, resources, and services for service members, veterans, and military families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Other, Resource Systems Navigation
Indiana recognizes military-friendly schools that demonstrate strong supports, resources, and points of contact for military-connected students and their families.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Illinois provides free or reduced public transit fares for qualifying military personnel in the RTA service region, helping improve access to affordable transportation.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois allows institutions of higher education to award academic credit for military training and education, helping service members, veterans, and their families reduce time and cost to complete postsecondary degrees.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois offers eligible service members and veterans fee exemptions for camping, hunting, and fishing, helping reduce recreational costs and support quality of life.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois provides military leave protections under the Family Military Leave Act, supporting workforce participation, career stability, and family well-being for service members and their families.
Illinois provides education grants to National Guard members and their families, supporting career advancement, training, and family stability while enhancing readiness and reintegration.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois provides eligible service members and veterans with free or reduced fees for outdoor recreation through the Department of Natural Resources, helping expand access to state parks, hunting, fishing, and camping opportunities.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
This exemption lowers assessed property values for up to two tax years.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support, Housing, Housing Concerns/Insecurity
Illinois provides emergency financial assistance through the Military Family Relief Fund, helping service members, veterans, and their families address urgent needs and maintain stability during periods of military service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support, Housing, Housing Concerns/Insecurity
Expands the legal definition of “Armed Forces” to include the U.S. Space Force, ensuring Space Force service members are recognized in state law and eligible for the same benefits, protections, and programs as other military branches.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Illinois allows military spouses, veterans, and service members to exchange or waive portions of the CDL skills test, helping them access employment opportunities and training more quickly in the commercial driving sector.
Illinois exempts qualifying military pay from state income taxation, helping reduce tax burdens for service members while clarifying filing obligations.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois provides clear income tax filing guidance for military personnel, helping service members understand residency rules, exemptions, and compliance requirements.Income Tax filing requirements for military personnel.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Illinois supports military-connected students by providing protections and flexibility that help reduce disruption and maintain continuity of education during military-related school transitions.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Participates in the Military Interstate Children’s Compact (MIC3), which supports military-connected students and families by standardizing school enrollment, placement, eligibility, and graduation requirements during interstate transitions.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Your Feedback is Welcome!
This toolkit is launching in 'beta' to demonstrate the incredible potential of state level work. We'll keep refining it and would love your help in making it the most comprehensive, easy to use tool out there. Help us improve the States toolkit by sharing anything that needs attention with Blue Star Families by filling out this form.
A comprehensive overview of the methodology and supporting data can be found in the full technical memo.
Let's work together to support our military families.
The Do Your Part coalition is led by Blue Star Families with support from Craig Newmark and craig newmark philanthropies.
Blue Star Families
441 Saxony The Hive/Barn 2
Encinitas, CA 92024
(202) 630-2583
© 2026 Blue Star Families