Veterans Legislation
2010 Veteran’s Legislation:
State ID/Driver License (HB 4858) Provides a duplicate Illinois Identification Cards issued at no cost to an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the member’s spouse, or dependent children living with the member. (Currently in Senate)
Veterans’ Advisory Council (HB 5398) Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. The bill adds members to the veteran’s advisory council, increasing membership from 17 to 21. (Currently in Senate)
Deposition of Remains Military (HB 5678) Provides that for the remains of persons in the military who have completed U.S. DD form 93, the person designated to direct disposition of remains of that form shall have the right to control the disposition of remains including cremation or burial. (Currently in Senate)
Mobile Assistance Unit (HB 5823) Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to make grants available to fund a “Veterans Mobile Assistance Unit” program (Subject to appropriation). The mobile units may provide but is not limited to mental health screenings, preventive health care and crisis intervention. The mobile units shall target homeless veterans including those residing in rural areas. The units shall travel to various locations including local veteran’s organizations facilities and facilities serving the homeless. (Currently in Senate)
Higher Education Veterans’ Grants (HB 5824) Allows people who would otherwise be eligible for the Illinois Veterans Grant or any federal program that provides tuition payments but elects not to utilize the benefit to transfer the benefit to a spouse, child or stepchild. (Currently in Senate)
MH/DD Veterans Exemption (HB 6103) Provides that any veteran who receives services from any state mental health facility does not have to pay for any amount of money not covered by the veterans existing insurance. (Currently in Senate)
Payments to Service Organizations (SB 3069) Expands the definition of “veteran service organization” to an organization that is chartered by the United State Congress or incorporated in Illinois rather than chartered by the U.S. Congress and incorporated in Illinois. (Currently in Senate)
War on Terrorism (SB 3128) Includes recipients of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal to list of veterans entitled to receive compensation in the amount $100 for their service. (Currently in House)
Veterans’ Advisory Council (SB 3589) Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. The bill adds members to the veteran’s advisory council, increasing membership from 17 to 21. SB 3589 also allows military family organizations that are chartered by the U.S. Congress and by the State to appoint a member to the board. (Currently in House)
Disabled Veterans (SB 3816) SB 3816 provides a one time $1000 income tax credit for modifications made to the primary residence of a disabled veteran. (Currently in House)
Family Military Leave (SB 3818) Amends the Family Military Leave Act. The bill adds children and grandparent to the list of persons eligible for Family Military Leave if a loved one is activated for over 30 days. (Currently in House)
2009 Veteran’s Legislation:
Military Leave of Absence (SB 1333) – Requires that a fulltime state, local and school district employee, who is a member of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Illinois State Militia, must be given a leave of absence for any training or duty required by the U.S. Armed Forces not otherwise covered by the Act. (Currently in Senate)
War on Terrorism Compensation (SB 1461) – Provides that every person who has served on active duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001 and prior to such time as Congress declares such persons ineligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is entitled to receive compensation of $100 for that service if there were a resident of the State of Illinois for at least 12 months immediately preceding the time they entered into service. This does not include individuals who were involved in civilian work; other requirements apply. (Public Act 96-0076)
Veterans Home Resident’s Maintenance (SB 1837) – Removes the provision that veterans home resident's maintenance charges must be paid first and to the fullest extent possible from sources of income other than pensions or compensation paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (Public Act 96-0100)
Department Veterans Affairs and Nursing Home Care (SB 1838) – Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act and the Nursing Home Care Act; providing that if any conflict occurs between the provisions of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Act and the Nursing Home Care Act concerning an Illinois Veterans Home operated by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs then the provisions of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Act shall apply. (Currently in Senate)
National Guard Active Duty (SB 1955) – Allows the Adjutant General to order the Illinois National Guard into active duty for nonemergency functions. Also, requires any National Guard member that is injured or becomes ill while on duty be entitled to be treated by an officer of the medical or dental department or to be treated at the nearest appropriate medical treatment facility if no officer is available. (Public Act 96-0733)
Veterans Day (SB 2090) – Changes the definition “Veterans Day” from a commemoration of the victory of the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force in all Wars to a commemoration of victory of all United States Armed Forces in all wars.
(Public Act 96-0800)
Veterans Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (HR 248) – This encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse private health care providers for cost associated with treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in veterans, and to provide resources for these private entities to seek continuing education in the effective diagnosis and treatment of PTSD. (Resolution Adopted 116-001-000)
Veterans Burial Benefits (SB 1462) – Expands the amount of money that a county may expend on the internment of deceased veteran from $600 to $900. The bill adds that veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces that served in any congressionally sanctioned war or conflict shall be eligible for internment by any Illinois county upon death. (Public Act 96-0098)
Gold Star Families Assistance Program (SB 1493) – Provides for the Court of Claims to establish a Gold Star Families Assistance Program to access needs and provide information including a toll free helpline, regarding filing and claims pursuant to the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Defines "Gold Star Family" as the family members of an individual who was killed in the line of duty and who was employed or serving in a capacity defined in the Line of Duty Compensation Act. (Public Act 96-0541)
Military Family Relief & Casualty Grants (SB 2148) – Authorizes the Department of Military Affairs to make grants from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund to active duty members of the armed forces who have been wounded while deployed in support if the global war on terror. The bill also specifies that family members of National Guard, reserve and active duty members of the Armed Forced may be eligible for the grants. (Current law allows for the grants to be made to members of the National Guard and Reserves).
The bill also requires the Department to establish a casualty based grant program for members of the Armed Forces and requires that the Department establish criteria for awarding grants under this program. (Public Act 96-0822)
Line of Duty Compensation (HB 22) – Provides that interest payment penalties shall be added to all claims pursuant to the Line of Duty Compensation Act claims that were not paid as of the effective date of P.A. 95-928. (8/26/08) provided that the effective date was at least 6 months after the date the claim was filed. (Public Act 96-0539)
Veterans Health Insurance Program (HB 706) – Provides for an evaluation of the Veterans Health Insurance Program Act of 2008 to be administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services on the availability of services provided by the Act. Also, requires that a report be presented to the Governor and General Assembly by March 1, 2010. (Public Act 96-0082)
Military Code of Illinois (HB 820) – Allows the Adjutant General to order the Illinois National Guard into active duty for nonemergency functions. Further requires any National Guard member that is injured or becomes ill while on duty be entitled to be treated by an officer of the medical or dental department or to be treated at the nearest appropriate medical treatment facility if no officer is available. (Public Act 96-0509)
Staffing Levels at Veterans Homes (HB 3970) – Provides that the Department of Veterans Affairs shall employ and maintain a sufficient and qualified staff at veterans’ homes to fill all beds. The bill further provides that this requirement is subject to appropriations. (Public Act 96-0699)
Advertising for Vacancies at Veterans Homes (HB 4197) – Allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to spend up to $30,000 annually to advertise for employees at veterans’ medical facilities for the purpose of seeking employees to fill vacancies. (Public Act 96-0090)
Veteran’s Day (HB 4199) – Changes the definition “Veterans Day” from a commemoration of the victory of the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force in all Wars to a commemoration of victory of all United States Armed Forces in all wars. (Public Act 96-0092)
Veterans Employment Hotline (HB 4205) – Requires the Attorney General to establish and maintain a statewide toll free hotline to provide information and referrals to employees concerning their rights under this act. Also requires that the hotline have the capacity to accept complaints regarding employer’s violations of the Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act. (Currently in House)
Veteran Owned Businesses (HB 4208) – Requires procurement officers to establish a goal of at least 10% of the total contract dollar amount o be awarded to veteran owned businesses. (Currently in Senate)
New divisions at Department of Military Affairs (HB 4213) – Creates two new divisions within the Department of Military Affairs. Create the new Division of Family Affairs and the new Division of Women Veteran’s Affairs. Sponsor indicates that this bill will cost approximately $90,000 annually. (Public Act 96-0094)
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act (HB 4236) – Removes the requirement that veteran home residents pay the required maintenance charges first and to the fullest extent possible from sources of income other than pension or compensation paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (Public Act 96-0095)
Illinois Jobs for Veterans Task Force (HB 1122) – Creates the Illinois Jobs for Veterans Task Force within the Governor’s Office. The task force shall determine if the military training received by the veterans should satisfy any State professional licensure requirements. This legislation also requires the Task Force to submit a report to the General Assembly on or before July 1, 2010. (Public Act 96-0085)
POW (HB 2536) – Provides that all former Prisoners of War shall receive free admission to any museum that receives State funding. (Public Act 96-0087)
“Gold Star Mothers Day (HB 3663) – Changes the date for “Gold Star Mothers Day” from second Sunday in August to the Last Sunday in September. (Public Act 96-0521)
Veterans Affairs Act and the Nursing Home Care Act (HB 4237) – Provides that if any conflict occurs between the provisions of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Act and the Nursing Home Care Act concerning an Illinois Veterans Home operated by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs then the provisions of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Act shall apply. (Public Act 96-0703)