The Illinois Lottery has been supporting veterans in Illinois since 2006 by designating 100 percent of its profits towards organizations that provide essential services to veterans. Through the Veterans Cash program, the Illinois Lottery has raised over $23 million to fund grants for more than 400 veteran support organizations in the state. These organizations offer services such as housing assistance, long-term care, disability benefits, employment services, food and clothing pantries, and treatment for post-traumatic stress.
In 2024, the Illinois Lottery introduced a new joint specialty ticket, the 7X Bingo Multiplier Instant Ticket, with a portion of the profits going towards supporting veterans in Illinois. This ticket costs $5 and is available for purchase at over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers. By purchasing this ticket, you can contribute to the Central Illinois Veterans Commission (CIVC), an organization that supports honorable and general discharged veterans in their journey towards a permanent home.
Having a safe and secure place to call home is essential for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Stable housing is associated with better educational and financial outcomes, social cohesion, and the ability to plan for the future. Unfortunately, many Americans, including veterans, struggle with housing insecurity and homelessness. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that veterans make up nearly 13 percent of the country’s homeless population, despite comprising only 7 percent of the adult population.
In Illinois, over 530,000 veterans reside in the state, with approximately 7 percent living in poverty. The Central Illinois Veterans Commission (CIVC) is working to change this reality by providing tools and support systems for Central Illinois veterans to obtain permanent housing. Founded by Vietnam veteran Joe Schaler in 2018, CIVC partners with various agencies to offer job training, mental health support, financial coaching, and more to local veterans. One of their notable programs includes providing veterans with Tiny Homes.
CIVC’s Tiny Homes initiative aims to provide veterans with a stable and secure place to live. The organization builds these homes on donated plots of land using volunteer labor, and each home costs about $90,000 to complete and furnish. Veterans who qualify for a Tiny Home must commit to covering utilities and real estate taxes, as well as maintaining the home and yard. After ten years, the home is officially transferred to the veteran, surrounded by ongoing community support.
Although Joe Schaler passed away in May 2024, his vision and spirit live on through CIVC’s work. The organization continues to build Tiny Homes for Central Illinois veterans and plans to serve as a model for other communities looking to support veterans in similar ways. By purchasing a 7X Bingo Multiplier Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery, you can play a part in supporting CIVC and other organizations dedicated to helping veterans in Illinois. To learn more about CIVC and how you can support Illinois veterans, visit civeteran.org.
