Roll Call Receives $45,000 Veterans Cash Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2026
Roll Call Chicagoland Awarded $45,000 Illinois Veterans Cash Grant
CHICAGOLAND, Ill. — Roll Call Chicagoland has been awarded a $45,000 Veterans Cash grant from the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) to support the launch of the Crossroads Veteran Employment and Professional Development Program. The grant period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
Crossroads will provide workforce development, professional instruction, mentoring, networking, employer engagement, and career-development support for veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and military dependents. The program will include two structured three-month cohorts, additional workforce-development activities, and connections to employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and community partners.
“This grant allows us to bring several of Roll Call’s strengths together in a more intentional way,” said Noel Yucuis, Executive Director of Roll Call Chicagoland. “Crossroads will combine professional development, mentoring, and meaningful connections to help members of the military-connected community navigate career transitions and build long-term professional networks.”
During the grant year, Roll Call Chicagoland plans to serve at least 175 participants through workforce-development activities, enroll 40 participants in two Crossroads cohorts, and connect 250 participants with employers, educational institutions, workforce-development organizations, entrepreneurship resources, and community partners.
The initiative reflects Roll Call Chicagoland’s four pillars: Networking, Support, Development, and Camaraderie. Additional information about Crossroads programming and enrollment will be announced in the coming months.
Funding provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
About Roll Call Chicagoland
Roll Call Chicagoland is a nonprofit organization serving veterans, military members, military spouses, and supporters throughout the Chicagoland region through networking, support, development, and camaraderie.
Media Contact: Noel Yucuis, Executive Director | Roll Call Chicagoland | noel@rollcallchicagoland.org | www.rollcallchicagoland.org
Roll Call Chicagoland on ABC7: Connecting Veterans to Opportunity
September 30, 2026 | ABC7 Chicago
Roll Call Chicagoland Executive Director Noel Yucuis joined ABC7 Chicago to discuss the organization's mission and the importance of supporting veterans and military spouses as they navigate career transitions and professional growth. Drawing on her family's own experience transitioning from military to civilian life, Yucuis shared how those challenges shaped his understanding of the need for meaningful connections, accessible resources, and a strong community of support.
The conversation also highlighted Roll Call's commitment to networking, support, professional development, and camaraderie, along with its second annual golf benefit, Operation SANDTRAP II, held October 1 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. The event brought supporters together to help advance Roll Call's mission throughout Chicagoland.
Roll Call Chicagoland to Host Inaugural Crossroads Career Expo at Bell Works Chicagoland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — June 30, 2026 — Roll Call Chicagoland, in partnership with the Village of Hoffman Estates and Bell Works Chicagoland, will host the inaugural Crossroads Career Expo on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, bringing together approximately 70 employers, educators, workforce organizations, entrepreneurs, veteran service organizations, and community partners for an afternoon dedicated to career development, workforce collaboration, and professional networking.
Unlike a traditional job fair, the Crossroads Career Expo is designed to connect veterans, military spouses, transitioning service members, students, and professionals with employers, career resources, educational opportunities, and industry leaders while fostering meaningful conversations about the future of Chicagoland's workforce.
The Expo will feature two industry panel discussions exploring entrepreneurship and the rapidly growing digital infrastructure sector, five professional development workshops, a keynote address by leadership expert Brian Smith, complimentary professional headshots, and a networking reception that encourages attendees to continue building relationships beyond the formal programming.
For the first time, the event will be hosted at Bell Works Chicagoland, a 1.65-million-square-foot mixed-use campus and “metroburb” in Hoffman Estates. The former AT&T corporate campus has been redeveloped into a vibrant, publicly accessible destination featuring flexible office space, retail, dining, entertainment, and community uses, and regularly hosts a wide range of events and programming.
“No single organization can solve today's workforce challenges alone,” said Noel Yucuis, Executive Director of Roll Call Chicagoland. “That's why we created Crossroads. We wanted to bring employers, educators, veteran service organizations, workforce partners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders into the same room. Whether you're searching for a job, exploring a new career, growing a business, or simply looking to expand your professional network, you never know which conversation will change the course of your career.”
Participating organizations represent a broad cross-section of industries and workforce partners, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, financial services, government, education, nonprofit organizations, and veteran-serving agencies. Many exhibitors will be actively recruiting talent, while others will provide career services, educational pathways, entrepreneurship resources, and professional development opportunities.
“Hosting the Crossroads Career Expo reflects the kind of meaningful programming we’re proud to support at Bell Works Chicagoland,” said Ralph Zucker, President and CEO of Inspired by Somerset Development. “We’re proud to partner with Roll Call Chicagoland and the Village of Hoffman Estates to bring this event to life, and we look forward to the connections and opportunities it will create across our area.” The event is made possible through the support of Compass Datacenters, Title Sponsor; Thrivent, Presenting Sponsor of the Networking Reception; and Western Governors University, Professional Development Sponsor, providing complimentary professional headshots and supporting the networking reception.
The Crossroads Career Expo will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at Bell Works Chicagoland, 2000 Center Drive, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The Networking Reception Presented by Thrivent will begin at 5:30 p.m., providing attendees with additional opportunities to connect with employers, mentors, entrepreneurs, educators, and fellow professionals.
Attendance is free, but advance registration is encouraged.
To register as an attendee or learn more, visit: https://givebutter.com/crossroads-career-expo
About Roll Call Chicagoland
Roll Call Chicagoland is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering veterans, military spouses, transitioning service members, and their supporters through Networking, Support, Development, and Camaraderie. Through monthly networking events, mentorship, workforce partnerships, educational programming, and community collaboration, Roll Call helps military-connected individuals build meaningful careers and lasting professional relationships throughout the Chicagoland region.
For more information, visit www.rollcallchicagoland.org.
About Bell Works Chicagoland
Bell Works Chicagoland is the nation’s second “Metroburb” – a self-contained metropolis in suburbia. Previously home to the AT&T corporate campus, leading real estate developer Inspired by Somerset Development is in the midst of transforming the 1.65-million square foot underutilized space into a central destination complete with offices, ground-floor retail, dining, residences, community gathering space, and more – turning the once-abandoned property into a thriving ‘Main Street’ that serves Hoffman Estates and the surrounding communities. To learn more about Bell Works Chicagoland, visit www.bell.works/chicagoland/explore/.
Roll Call Chicagoland Announces Leadership Transition and Bold New Chapter of Growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO — Roll Call Chicagoland, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and their spouses through networking, camaraderie, professional development, and peer support, is excited to announce a leadership transition and a new chapter of organizational growth.
After eight years of visionary service, Justin Miller will be transitioning from his day-to-day leadership role to rejoin the Board of Directors, following his acceptance of a new opportunity with the Veteran Business Project. In this new position, he will serve as Executive Director of the Living Business School for Veterans—an initiative focused on empowering aspiring veteran entrepreneurs through the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition model.
This next chapter is a natural extension of Justin Miller’s longstanding commitment to veteran success. His new role complements Roll Call Chicagoland’s mission by creating even more pathways for veterans to thrive after service. We are proud to see one of our own take on such a meaningful role in the broader veteran ecosystem and are grateful for his ongoing leadership and mentorship as a member of the board.
With this transition, we’re sharpening our focus on what makes Roll Call unique: community-driven programming, sustainable operations, and veteran-centered innovation. Our mission remains clear—we are Chicagoland’s premier veteran network, and we are committed to building connection, purpose, and opportunity for those who have served and their families.
This summer marks a major milestone for Roll Call. In June, we will launch our first-ever professional development workshop for veteran job seekers, and in the fall, we’ll host a golf fundraiser to support continued programming. These events reflect our commitment to growth through service and the belief that the strength of our network lies in our shared investment in one another.
We thank our partners, volunteers, and community members for their unwavering support. More announcements will be shared in the coming months.
To stay informed or get involved, please visit Roll Call Chicagoland's website.
—Roll Call Chicagoland Executive Committee
An earlier version of this press release has been edited. The original version, as published on May 29, 2025, can be viewed here.