Illinois Joining Forces

06/05/2026

It's RED Friday, and Illinois Joining Forces is out here at the Street Machine Nationals in DuQuoin, IL!

Central Region Outreach Coordinator Steve Bridges is representing the SMVF community all weekend long, so if you're at the fairgrounds, stop by and say hello.

Come find the tent, grab some resources, and let's talk about how IJF can connect you or someone you know with the support they've earned.

We'll be here all weekend!

06/01/2026

Heading to Du Quoin this weekend for the Street Machine Nationals at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, June 5-7, and our Central Region Outreach Coordinator Steve Bridges is going as more than just a spectator.

Steve will be on the ground connecting with Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families who come out for the show.

Whether you're there to show your ride, browse the Performance Marketplace, or just take it all in, if you or someone you know has a military connection, find Steve. He wants to make sure you know what resources are available and how IJF can help connect you to them.

And if you haven't heard, this one's historic. After 40 years at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, organizers have announced this is the final Street Machine Nationals in Du Quoin. One last run.

05/29/2026

Mark your calendars! Illinois Joining Forces has not one, but two Regional Summits coming up this summer, and we want to see you there.

Central Regional Summit
July 9, 2026 | 8 AM - 4 PM

DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington
10 Brickyard Dr., Bloomington, IL 61701

Northern Regional Summit
July 30, 2026 | 8 AM - 4 PM

South Shore Cultural Center
7059 South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60649

Registration links are coming soon for both events, so stay tuned.

Whether you're in Central or Northern Illinois, this is your opportunity to connect with the people and resources that support our Service Members, Veterans, and Families.

We hope to see you this summer!

05/21/2026

Registration is open for the 2026 IJF Southern Regional Summit!
If you work with or on behalf of Service Members, Veterans, or Military Families in Southern Illinois, this one is for you. Join us on Thursday, June 11 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham for a full day of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

The event runs 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, it's free, and breakfast and lunch are provided.

This year's breakout sessions cover Moral Injury (CE credit available), how Illinois Joining Forces can support your organization, and proper administration and use of NARCAN® Nasal Spray.

All three sessions run three times throughout the day so you can attend each one.

The day wraps up with the presentation of the Southern Illinois IJF Veteran of the Year and Veteran Service Organization of the Year Awards, so you won't want to duck out early.

Registration is open now. Click the link to secure your spot and watch for your event ticket and details to follow via email.

https://events.blackthorn.io/5e2G8L97/5a2bUO3TEQr

05/21/2026

Thank you Veterans Ruck March - Bloomington, IL for creating spaces that bring Veterans and the community together in meaningful ways.

We are honored to support the Veterans Ruck March again this year and to stand alongside organizations committed to connection, awareness, and ensuring Veterans know they are not alone. Events like these help strengthen community bonds while connecting individuals and families to resources, support systems, and people who truly understand their experiences.

As Memorial Day approaches, we also recognize the importance of taking time to reflect, remember, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We look forward to continuing this important work together and supporting our Veteran community every step of the way.

Ay-o! We've got another partner ready to uplift local veterans! THANK YOU, Illinois Joining Forces, for joining us as an event sponsor for the second year running.

We always love to see fellow veteran organizations participate in the VFW 454 Veterans Ruck March 2026. Not only is it instrumental for community-building, it helps connect veterans to groups that can address their unique needs - and "get it."

Let's keep pressing forward to and support our area veterans.

***deprevention

05/18/2026

Sharing on behalf of the West Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans.

Thank you to all those giving and serving with honor, bravery, dedication, and self-sacrifice for our great country! ⭐️⭐️
Also, thank you to all the spouses and families for your service and sacrifices! ❤️🤍💙

The greatest thing that keeps a person serving in our military going is knowing their spouse / family are okay at home. 🤗❤️

To show you care & you want to have a great time with a Military Spouse and Veteran / Military community, put together your group with that military family member, family and friends and join us at the WSFDV ROCKIN’ FOR OUR VETS AMERICA 250 Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band Concert at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL on July 11th!

It’s going to be AWESOME! 🎉🎸🎶🎉

Let’s salute 🫡 our Veterans & support our Military Spouses and families, together! Come out to celebrate America's 250th birthday & enjoy our WSFDV ROCKIN' FOR OUR VETS AMERICA 250 event together!

🎉🎂 🎸🎶❤️🤍💙🎉

Put your Veteran, Military spouse, family, friends, colleagues' group together and join WSFDV.org, Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band for the ROCKIN’ FOR OUR VETS AMERICA 250 Concert at Cantigny Park on July 11th! 🎸🎶

Buy your tickets and/or “Treat a Vet” tickets TODAY at WSFDV.org

🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️

🎟️ are only $50 plus ticket company $4 fee

🎟️ includes: parking, shuttle, concert, Cantigny First Division Museum

🔹1:00 PM Parking Opens / Shuttles

🔹2:00 PM Cantigny Gates Open

🔹Special Guests throughout day

🔹Cantigny First Division Museum Open

🔹Multiple Tasty Food & Snacks Vendors

🔹6:00 PM Country Music HunterGirl

🔹7:00 PM Gary Sinise & Lt. Dan Band

Thank you for supporting our Veterans and WSFDV.org mission!

❤️🤍💙

Buy your tickets today at WSFDV.org🎸🎶🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️

Thank you for your support! 🤗❤️🤍💙

You are making a difference! 👍🏻👍🏻

Please continue to share! 🗣️🗣️💌

See you there! 🎉🎸🎶🎂❤️🤍💙🎉

05/16/2026

Illinois Joining Forces is proud to be at Springfield Pridefest today!
Central Region Outreach Coordinator Steve Bridges is on the ground connecting with Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families across the Springfield community. LGBTQ+ veterans and their families are part of the communities we serve, and showing up matters.
If you or someone you know could use support navigating veteran resources in Illinois, stop by and say hello -- or reach out to us anytime.
📞 833-INFO-IJF (833-463-6453)
🌐 illinoisjoiningforces.org

05/06/2026

Day two of the IJF legislative briefing here in Springfield, and we're putting in the work. Meetings with state leadership, making connections, and keeping the focus where it belongs: on the Service Members, Veterans, and Families who need us.
The table is set. The conversations are happening. And the SMVF community has people in the room fighting for them.

05/01/2026

🇺🇸 Now Accepting Nominations! Who comes to mind? 🇺🇸

Illinois Joining Forces is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Southern Illinois Veteran of the Year and Veteran Support Organization of the Year!

We know there are incredible Veterans and organizations out there doing the work—showing up, leading, and making a difference every day. Let’s make sure they get recognized.

💬 Tag a Veteran or organization below who deserves this recognition!

🗓 Nominations open May 1 – June 1
🏆 Winners announced June 11 at the Southern Region Summit in Effingham

🔗 Submit a nomination:
👉 Veteran of the Year: https://forms.office.com/r/bC8TVw3rru

👉 Veteran Support Organization: https://forms.office.com/r/pcDKDQ7UN3

📌 You can also scan the QR codes on the flyer to nominate!

Don’t assume someone else will do it—take a minute and submit a nomination today.

04/27/2026

🚨 **LET’S MOVE THIS NEEDLE** 🚨

We’re officially on the board…
**$3,000 raised toward our $1,000,000 mission.**

That’s not just a number—
that’s **real people stepping up to fight veteran su***de.**

But here’s the truth…
We’re just getting started.

Every dollar you give pushes us closer to:
⚓ Launching this ocean row
⚓ Raising awareness for the 22
⚓ Making a real impact in veterans’ lives

💥 **This mission doesn’t move without YOU.**

👉 Donate what you can
👉 Tag someone who needs to see this
👉 Share this post and help us reach more people

If 300 people gave just $10 today…
we’d double where we are **right now.**

Let’s prove what happens when people come together.

🌊 **Be part of something bigger.**

🔗 OarsomeOdyssey.org