Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy Earns LEED Certifications for New Domiciliary and Long-Term Care Buildings

Quincy - The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) announced that the new Domiciliary and Long-Term Care buildings at the Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy have achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications, recognizing the facilities for prioritizing sustainability during design and construction.

The new Domiciliary achieved LEED Silver certification, while the new Long-Term Care Building achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED rating system for new construction. To achieve LEED certification, a project must first complete all prerequisites and then earn points by satisfying credit requirements.

The evaluation considers features in several categories: sustainable sites, location and transportation, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priorities.

As an established campus, CDB was able to modernize the facilities at Quincy while preserving undeveloped land. The project also involved improvements to accessibility and connectivity throughout the site, including new roadways and bicycle parking that is open to the public.

New native plants and trees were used to assist with stormwater management, and smart lighting controls were incorporated to reduce energy consumption and light pollution. Energy efficient equipment and automation systems were selected to help lower utility use, and enhanced commissioning was used to ensure the building operates as efficiently as possible. The project also received recognition for the storage and collection of recyclable materials, supporting responsible waste management.

"Achieving LEED Silver and Gold certification reflects the thought and effort that went into constructing these new facilities," said Illinois Capital Development Board Executive Director TJ Edwards. "Most importantly, the Domiciliary and Long-Term Care buildings provide Illinois veterans with the services and resources they need, while operating efficiently and sustainably."

During the LEED certification process, certain credits were not available for evaluation. Sustainability practices were considered based on the needs and function of the Domiciliary and Long-Term Care buildings, and what measures could be taken to provide environmental benefits.

"The Capital Development Team took on an enormous challenge and delivered an exceptional, modern and sustainable home for Illinois veterans," said IDVA Director Terry Prince. What we created is more than just new buildings, it's beautiful living and dining spaces, a higher level of care, and an environment that honors veterans. Additionally, the artwork, outdoor sculptures and green areas make the Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy truly special."

The Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy is the oldest and largest veterans' home in Illinois. Completed in 2025, CDB and IDVA oversaw a campus rehabilitation project involving construction of a new 260,000-square-foot residential long-term care facility and an 80,000-square-foot independent living facility. As part of the project, seven existing buildings were demolished, and the Neilson Dining Facility underwent a full renovation. The upgraded campus features a new multi-purpose space, administrative offices, and stores, creating a more sustainable home for Illinois veterans and future residents.