Construction Begins on New Will County Veteran Assistance and Support Center

Will County leaders have announced the start of construction at the future home of the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) at 1300 Copperfield Avenue in Joliet. Once completed, the new facility will serve as a unified Veteran Assistance and Support Center at the heart of a unified campus for veteran services.

“This project will transform how Will County provides services to veterans and their families, providing a centralized location and expanded space for the Will County VAC,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “The new center will be at the heart of the first unified veteran assistance and support campus in the state, solidifying the VAC’s role as a national and state leader in providing veterans with the services they’ve earned. I’m proud to see this project coming to fruition.”

County Executive Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County VAC announced in October 2024 a plan to create a unified “one-stop shop” by moving the commission into the currently vacant county-owned building, alongside other veteran services. The construction that is kicking off this week will retrofit the first two floors of the four-story office building, leaving the remaining space in the building for future services easily accessible to veterans.

The expanded footprint will empower the VAC to expand services to Will County veterans and their families, including by hiring more veteran service officers, reducing appointment wait times, and increasing programmatic offerings. The VAC also plans on expanding their mental health and physical health programs to focus more on overall wellness, utilizing an on-site fitness center and personalized spaces for counseling.

The VAC is also planning to expand their food pantry and donation room, increasing capacity to meet the basic needs of veterans and their families. The new space will also include communal spaces for veterans and their families, creating opportunities for connection, support, and a stronger sense of community.

“This new space has been a long-standing vision driven by the needs of our veterans and the belief that they deserve more than just thanks—they deserve action. I’m proud to see this vision becoming a reality,” said Will County VAC Superintendent Jen Solum. “With this new facility, we’ll not only be able to serve more veterans, but also expand critical services—especially in the area of mental health, where the need is urgent and ongoing. We’re deeply grateful to our leaders and community partners who helped bring this project to life.”

VAC services include financial assistance, employment assistance, combat veteran counseling, and a homeless veteran prevention program. VAC also coordinates with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on case management and is the only commission of its kind in the state to include in-house staff from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The Will County Veterans Assistance Commission gives veterans the support and assistance they earned through their military service,” said Will County Board Capital Improvements Committee Chair Mica Freeman. “I am thrilled to participate in our community’s efforts to continue and expand the VAC’s services with a welcoming facility they deserve. Our veterans should be honored every day, and the new location is just one way in which we can show our appreciation to the men and women who have served our nation.”

Preliminary construction has occurred on the facility, including repairs to the roof and critical systems. Planned construction will focus on the interior, with an emphasis on the expanding space for the VAC. Construction is estimated to be completed in early 2026. Will County acquired the building in 2021. Previously a medical office building, it was built in 2003 and was previously connected to the former Silver Cross Hospital.

The new center will join both the Hines VA’s Joliet Community Based Outpatient Clinic and the Volunteers of America Illinois’ Hope Manor Housing at a new unified Veteran Support Campus on the east side of Joliet. This unified campus will make it easier for veterans and their families to access wrap-around services.