Illinois

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Illinois experiences a range of weather, with hot, humid summers often reaching the 80s and 90s, while winters can be cold and snowy, with temperatures dipping below freezing. The state is prone to severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, particularly in the spring.
  
  Tornados
  
  Illinois peak tornado season runs from March to May, with an average of 46 tornadoes occurring annually in the state. While most tornadoes are not severe, some can cause significant damage. If you hear a siren, it's crucial to immediately head to your designated tornado shelter or safe room. It's also wise to keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for several days and to regularly practice your family's tornado plan, just as you would a fire escape plan. Belleville has an outdoor warning siren system, which is tested on the first Tuesday of each month at varying times depending on the county.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Belleville
  
  Belleville is located approximately 10 miles east of Scott Air Force Base (AFB). Belleville, and surrounding communities such as Shiloh, O'Fallon, and Fairview Heights offer a range of housing options.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Scott Air Force Base
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
  
  Scott Air Force Base offers a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include a fitness center, a youth center, a child development center, and outdoor recreation. The base also provides camping, fishing, and community programs for military families. For the most updated information on Scott AFB MWR facilities and services > visit Scott Air Force Bas

   
• Getting Around
  Getting around Belleville is mostly car-dependent, with main roads like IL-15 and IL-159 providing access to St. Louis and surrounding areas. Traffic can be heavier near Scott Air Force Base during peak hours. Public transportation is available through MetroLink, which connects Belleville to St. Louis, along with MetroBus services covering key local areas
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  The 375th Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base provides comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
• Critters & Wildlife
  Illinois is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and copperhead, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, especially in wooded areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, ants, and occasional encounters with black bears in more rural regions. Compared to Canada, Illinois has a broader range of reptiles and insects, so routine pest control is recommended to manage mosquitoes, termites, and other pests that thrive in the state’s humid and varied climate.
• Education
  There are several public schools within a 25-mile radius of Belleville.

  • Belleville Township High School District 201
  • Belle Valley School District 119
  • Whiteside School District 115
  • Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19

  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  Additional Child and Development related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The Illinois Secretary of State provides information on transferring out-of-state titles and licenses. Illinois offers a "Real ID" compliant driver's license, which can be used for federal identification purposes.