Section 2510.40  Application

a)         Military members are eligible for free sport fishing, hunting and camping for one year for each year served and for one year for each portion of a year served.

b)         To receive free passes, licenses, stamps and permits, eligible military members and veterans shall comply with the following:

1)         Mail, email or appear in person with their application, acceptable verification of service or mobilization, and any other documentation as required by this Part to:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Office of Strategic Services

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield, Illinois

DNR.OSSMilitary@illinois.gov

2)         Eligible military members must apply within two years after their return from abroad or release from mobilization, provide verification of dates of service abroad or verification of dates of mobilization (see Section 2510.20) and provide a government issued photo identification card.

3)         Veterans can apply at any time and must provide a form DD-214 and a government issued photo identification card to the Department.

c)         The Armed Forces Special Pass (camping), issued to eligible military members, shall become effective on the date of application and shall expire on the same month and day in the year the entitlement expires.

d)         Any license or permit issued without charge pursuant to Section 2510.30(a) will expire March 31 of each year.  If eligible, any license or permit issued without charge pursuant to Section 2510.30(a) may be obtained by following the procedures under subsection (b).  Eligible military members can provide the Department with a copy of an unexpired Armed Forces Special Pass to obtain a new license, stamp or permit.

e)         After the initial issuance of one-half price licenses under Section 2510.30(b), eligible veterans may obtain one-half price licenses in subsequent years through the Department website or over-the-counter from any of the Department's direct license agents without providing additional copies of acceptable verification of services or mobilization.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 7211, effective April 29, 2026)