Cook County Government Veterans Preference

A veteran who meets the minimum qualifications for a Cook County career service job and uploads a DD-214 is put on the interview list without the computer randomization other applicants go through. Six months of continuous active duty and any discharge except dishonorable qualifies.

Also called: county job, veterans preference, Employment Plan, interview, Bureau of Human Resources, Shakman.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Cook County, ILCounty

The Cook County Employment Plan, effective June 1, 2025, gives veterans a preference in hiring for career service positions under the President's offices. What it does. After internal candidates, the Bureau of Human Resources validates every applicant eligible for the veterans preference and puts each one on the interview list without the computer-based randomization used to pick other applicants. If that produces 10 or more candidates for a single vacancy, or five per vacancy for several, the Bureau stops there and does not validate other applicants. Who qualifies. The plan defines a veteran as a person who served on active duty in the armed forces for at least six months of continuous service and was not dishonorably discharged, which reaches a general or other-than-honorable discharge. The applicant must meet the job's minimum qualifications and upload a DD-214 with the application. The preference is a guaranteed interview, not points or a hire.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Cook County Government Veterans Preference
Gate	Rule
Six months of active duty, not dishonorably discharged	The preference needs six months of continuous active duty and any discharge but dishonorable. No rating is needed.

Sources

Cook County Employment Plan, effective June 1, 2025Official

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-01.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.