CHICAGO – In honor of Veterans Day, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) celebrated the opening of the new Chicago Veterans’ Home along with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Illinois Capital Development Board. The home is the first state veterans’ retirement facility to open in 20 years and the first to serve the Chicagoland area.

“It is my honor to announce the opening of the Chicago Veterans’ Home and see the hard work of so many that has turned into reality,” Martwick said. “Veterans are our heroes. They have made the sacrifice to protect this country for our freedoms, and that’s why they deserve our appreciation through safe and affordable housing.“

Prior to the construction of the Chicago home, the closest veterans’ homes were in Manteno and LaSalle, making it difficult for retiring veterans to remain near their loved ones. Martwick has championed the project for over a decade and played a key role in securing funding for the long-awaited facility during budget negotiations.

The new 187,000-square-foot, five-story facility is located on the Northwest side of Chicago and embraces the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Living Center guidelines, which advocate a culture change from a medical model to a resident-centered model of care.

Unlike many nursing homes of the past, a community living center resembles a family home as much as possible. The architecture of the Chicago Veteran’s Home supports this resident focus by creating sixteen total “households,” four of which are specifically dedicated to residents with dementia care needs.

“This Veterans Day I am grateful to all veterans who have served to protect our families, and I am proud to announce the grand opening here today in Chicago, a project completely dedicated to helping and serving veterans the way they have served us,” Martwick said.

Veterans interested in applying for residence at the Chicago Veterans’ Home can should contact the home’s administrator, T’Kira Siler-Wilkinson, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information.