The Illinois Veterans History Project was launched by Secretary of State Jesse White to create a permanent record of the names and stories of Illinois war veterans and civilians who served our state and country during war, so that their contributions will not be forgotten.

How to Participate

To participate in the Illinois Veterans History Project, veterans or their family members can obtain an Illinois Patriot Information Form from the Secretary of State’s office. Forms are also available at driver services facilities throughout Illinois and at Illinois public libraries. Interested persons may also print their own copies by downloading a PDF version of the form in either Regular Print Format or Large Print Format.

Veterans or their family members can complete this form and share their remembrances on the back or on a separate sheet of paper. Those who participate will receive an Official Certificate of Appreciation for their participation in this project.

Additionally, participants may submit an oral recorded history that will be placed in the Illinois Digital Archives and the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

Secretary White created the Illinois Veterans History Project after the United States Congress passed a law in 2000 authorizing the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the histories of American veterans and civilians who served in wars from World War I to the present.

For more information, please visit the Illinois Veterans History Project on the Illinois State Library website.