The Illinois Council of Chapters is an affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
MOAA and its affiliated councils and chapters are non-partisan.
IL COC Newsletter - Forward Observations - February 2025
WSFDV ROCKIN’ FOR OUR VETS Concert for Charity at Cantigny Park featuring Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band on July 12, 2025.
Click Here to View Information and Purchase Tickets to the Event
Advocacy in Action (AiA) 2025
Our Illinois Council of Chapters Advocacy in Action Team spent time in Washington DC April 7-10 to advocate MOAA's issues dear to us.
Information and Photos are available of the trip.
CLICK HERE FOR Illinois Council of Chapter President's Legislative Update on Advocacy in Action 2025
Illinois Attorney General Invites You To Attend Their Latest Webinars from the Military & Veterans RIghts Bureau (Illinois Attorney General's Office)
2023 MOAA Level of Excellence Awards
MOAA is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Council and Chapter Levels of Excellence (LOE) Awards for performance in 2023.
Our Winners were:
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Illinois Council of Chapters: 5-Star
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Lincoln Land Chapter: 4-Star
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Chicago and North Shore Chapter: 4-Star
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Southwest Illinois Chapter: 4-Star
MOAA’s Legislative Action Center
MOAA's Legislative Action Center has surpassed expectations since its initial launch iin 2022, allowing members to send tens of thousands of letters, make phone calls, share personal experiences on military- and veteran-related issues, and much much more.
Click Here to Enter the site and become involved with the efforts
2023 Harris Communication Awards
The annual Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Awards recognizes councils and chapters that achieve excellence in communicating with their members and communities. MOAA affiliates nominated themselves in two categories: newsletters (print or electronic) and websites. Submissions were judged on design and content.
Our 2023 Winners were:
Illinois Council of Chapters:
Newsletter 4 Star
Website 5 Star
Lincolnland Chapter
Website 5 Star
Newsletter 5 Star
Southwest Illinois Chapter:
Newsletter 5 Star
Why Should You Join MOAA ?
Why Should You Join a MOAA Chapter?
MOAA ESTORE
One of the many benefits of MOAA membership is exclusive access to MOAA-branded apparel and gift items. Thanks to feedback from our members, The MOAA Store has a fresh new look that’s easy to navigate. Show your pride and make MOAA a staple in your everyday wardrobe.
ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS - MOAA
Our Mission
The mission of the Illinois Council of Chapters is to defend the interests of active duty, reserve, retired, and former officers of America’s Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space, Public Health, and NOAA) by promoting the aims of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) in their legislative advocacy for all of America’s veterans. Further the Illinois Council of Chapters provides assistance to the Illinois MOAA Chapters enabling them to more effectively serve their members, their communities, and our great nation.
Information on Joining a Chapter
MOAA and its Chapters welcome any active, reserve, retired, or former office of America’s Uniformed Services. If you were or are an officer in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space, Coast Guard, Public Health, or NOAA, you are eligible for membership in MOAA. Information on how to become a MOAA member can be found at www.moaa.org and for your local Chapter by clicking here, to view the Illinois Chapters Map and County Listing.
Chapter Activities
Illinois has four (4) active MOAA chapters that meet and serve their geographic regions. A listing of those chapters and the region they serve can be found by clicking here. Each Chapter sets its own meeting schedule that meets their membership needs. Meetings often include informational presentations along with service-related camaraderie. Local Chapters engage in support of ROTC and JROTC programs, community outreach especially those helping veterans, and fund raising for local & national scholarships.
Legislative Issues
Each year, generally in the April timeframe, Council presidents from around the country participate in the MOAA-sponsored, “Advocacy in Action” event held in Washington DC. During this event, MOAA members meet with all 535 senators and representatives soliciting legislator support for national issues and initiatives effecting America’s veterans. COVID restrictions necessitated conducting this event virtually in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This year’s topics were: the Major Richard Star Act supporting 50,300 combat-injured veterans, Stop Copay Overpay Act to reform TRICARE mental health copays, and Support of a 4.6% Military Pay Raise keeping our servicemembers’ wages competitive. The Council point of contact for legislative affairs is: Col Richard V. Smith, USAF (Ret) who may be reached at: smithrv75@gmail.com
About Our Council
The Illinois Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is comprised of the presidents and appointed members of the Illinois MOAA Chapters located throughout the state. Specific Chapter locations are shown in the “Information on Joining the Chapter” section of this website. The Council serves as a conduit for information and support to the local Chapters. Council members serve on various state and local veteran service organizations (VSO) in addition to being the MOAA “voice” when meeting with state, local, and national officials. There are more than 5,000 MOAA members in Illinois who continue to serve as they advocate for this state’s 60,000 plus veterans. The Council meets tri-annually, oftentimes at dates and locations coinciding with a hosting chapter’s meeting. This allows Council members the opportunity to visit Chapter members across the state.