Veterans

signed · Illinois · House Dec 9, 2025

HB 1312: POW MIA RECOGNITION DAY

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the third Friday of September in each year as POW/MIA Recognition Day (rather than the third Friday of September in each year is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day) to be observed in honor and remembrance of the men and women who, as POWs, have suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the United States armed forces or who, as MIAs, have been recognized as missing in action in a time of war or during a period of hostilities (rather than who were recognized as POWs or MIAs in a time of war or during a period of hostilities). Provides that the Governor shall request, in the Governor's annual designation by official proclamation, that some portion of the third Friday of September be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the United States armed forces who have been held prisoners of war and members of the United States armed forces who have been missing in action and the resolve of families and friends who continue to seek the fullest possible accounting for missing loved ones. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates POW/MIA Recognition Day to honor veterans' service, aligning with recognition indicators for veteran support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 2362: VEH CD-AIR MEDAL SPECIAL PLATE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as Air Medal plates to residents of this State who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Secretary of State. Provides that the plates shall display the Air Medal. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enables special plates displaying Air Medal (military award), directly recognizing veterans' service through state vehicle registration.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 2572: VETS' DEPENDENTS SCH GRANTS

Amends the School Code and the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Educational Opportunity Grant Act. In provisions concerning the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents scholarship and the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Educational Opportunity Grant program, provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall determine, by rule, the eligibility of the persons who apply for the scholarship or grant (rather than the Department shall determine the eligibility of the persons who apply For the scholarship or grant).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends veterans' educational grant program to clarify eligibility determination, maintaining funding access for dependents' higher education. Directly supports educational access via existing grant program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAmends veterans' dependents' education grant program to have VA determine eligibility, ensuring smoother access to benefits for dependents of deceased/disabled/MIA/POW veterans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 2386: VEHICLE-ARMED FORCES PLATES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates to Illinois residents that served in the United States Armed Forces after July 1, 1958 and participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. Provides that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by the Code. Provides that the Secretary has discretion as to the design, color, and format of the plates. Provides that the plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides special license plates for qualifying veterans, recognizing military service as a form of veteran benefit recognition.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 1362: SERVICE MEMBER EMPLOYMENT-COMP

Amends the Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. In a provision concerning differential compensation, changes the definition of "work days" to mean the actual number of shifts (rather than days) the employee would have worked during the period of military leave but for the service member's military obligation. Further provides that work days are tabulated without regard for the number of hours in a shift (rather than work day), regardless if the shift extends into the next day. Removes a provision providing that work hours that extend into the next calendar day count as 2 work days.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends service member reemployment rights to ensure compensation for actual shifts worked, strengthening worker protection under employment law.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAmends service member employment rights to ensure fair compensation during military leave, protecting veterans' reemployment rights and income stability upon return.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

passed · Illinois · House May 30, 2025

HJR 35: SSG R. HERREID MEMORIAL HGWY

HJR 35 designates a portion of Route 31 in Batavia, specifically from Main Street south to Mooseheart Road, as the "SSG Robert D. Herreid Memorial Highway." This bill honors SSG Robert D. Herreid by naming a section of the highway after him.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via highway naming, aligns with recognition indicator per topic description85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 30, 2025

HJR 32: SSG TROEHLER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

House Joint Resolution 32 designates U.S. Route 24 as it passes through Fairbury as the "SSG Wilbur E. Troehler Memorial Highway." This bill honors SSG Wilbur E. Troehler by naming a specific section of highway after him.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran SSG Wilbur E. Troehler via highway designation, directly recognizing service per topic description's recognition criterion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2025

HJR 10: PFC W. HILL MEMORIAL HGWY

House Joint Resolution 10 designates a specific section of Route 31 in Aurora, Illinois, as the "PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr. Memorial Highway." This section runs from Sullivan Road to Ashland Avenue, honoring PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors a veteran through highway naming, aligning with recognition as a support indicator for veterans' services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2025

HJR 9: SFC T KATSOOLIAS MEMORIAL HGWY

House Joint Resolution 9 designates a specific section of Route 59 in West Chicago, from Route 38 to Route 64, as the "SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway." This bill honors SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias by naming a public highway in his memory.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via highway naming, aligning with recognition indicator under veterans' policies85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2025

HJR 11: SFC O. THOMPSON MEMORIAL HGWY

House Joint Resolution 11 designates a specific segment of Route 25 in Aurora, running from Sullivan Road to Ashland Avenue, as the "SFC Ogden N. Thompson Memorial Highway." This bill honors SFC Ogden N. Thompson by naming a portion of the state highway after him.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors veteran SFC Thompson via highway naming, directly recognizing service per support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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