Veterans

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the design and color of registration plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. Provides that plates for veterans with disabilities who have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act shall pay a specified fee (instead of $24). Authorizes the Secretary to suspend or revoke a certificate or the special plates issued to tow truck or wrecker operator upon determining that the person is not lawfully entitled thereto or has made or knowingly permitted any illegal use of the plates or has committed fraud in the registration of vehicles or failed to give notices of transfers. Prohibits a vehicle from being registered in the name of a person who is not an owner or lessee of that vehicle. Requires a vehicle owner seeking to register a vehicle in the State to register that vehicle to a State address. Provides that it is a violation for a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit a license plate or digital license plate. Provides that if no assignable title is available when auctioning a vehicle, the auctioneer or dealer must apply for Illinois title for the purpose of assigning title. Provides that the renewal fee for licenses and permits issued to 18, 19, and 20 year olds is $5. Provides that the Secretary shall issue a meter-exempt decal or device to the parent of a person with a disability who is under 18 years of age and incapable of driving or the legal guardian of a person with a disability incapable of driving. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. In a provision concerning a scratch-off for the benefit of Illinois veterans, provides that the 3-member funding authorization committee appointed by the Director of Veterans Affairs shall meet twice a year (instead of on a quarterly basis), at minimum.

Amends the Special Plates Article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person eligible to receive certain military special plates is entitled to receive, upon application to the Secretary of State, a second set of the special plates under the same terms and conditions as the first set of special plates. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Act. Provides that the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council created by Public Act 103-8 is continued within the Department of Public Health, with modifications to its duties and composition. Amends the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois by repealing provisions regarding the Council.

Creates the Servicemember Education Rights Veneration Act. Requires institutions of higher education (institution) to accommodate service member student's academic military leave and grant prompt readmission when the service member student has not exceeded a cumulative academic military leave period beyond 5 years, provides advance notice of academic military leave to the institution, and provides notice of intent to return to the institution. Requires the institution to readmit a service member student on academic military leave into the next class, classes, or academic year division following the receipt of the notice of intent to return in accordance with the terms of the accommodation. Contains provisions on exemptions to readmission and related reporting requirements on service member students; investigations by the Attorney General's appointed ISERRA Advocate on whether a readmission exemption exists; and other matters. Requires service member students to provide advance notice of pending military service and prohibits institutions from imposing conditions for academic military leave not otherwise imposed under the Act. Contains provisions on military accommodation; academic obligations of service member students; reimbursement for school expenses; academic withdrawal due to military service; rejection of accommodation and the institution's burden of proof; a 5-year military service limitation; records documentation; advance notice requirements on service member students; notice of intent to return; anti-discrimination protections; academic leave for the spouses of servicemembers; Attorney General enforcement authority; remedies; rulemaking authority; and other matters.

This bill designates the stretch of Illinois Route 15 between Woodlawn and Mount Vernon as the "Lance Corporal Jonathan Kyle Price Memorial Highway" to honor a Marine who died in service in Iraq. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying this new name along the route. By officially naming the highway, the state recognizes the sacrifice of Lance Corporal Price, who was killed in action at age 19. The resolution also directs that a copy of the document be given to Price's family and the state transportation secretary.

House Joint Resolution 33 designates a specific section of Illinois Route 96 as the "Army Specialist Anthony William Gilman Highway." This commemorative act names the stretch of highway from Mozier to the Pike County line in honor of Army Specialist Anthony William Gilman.

This bill designates the section of U.S. Route 150 passing through Galesburg as the "SFC Kyle Wehrly Memorial Highway" to honor Sergeant First Class Kyle Wehrly, a local soldier who died in Iraq in 2005. The legislation directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the road with this new name and to present copies of the resolution to the soldier's family. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter traffic laws or funding but serves to recognize Wehrly's service and sacrifice within the community where he was born and raised.

Designates the portion of Interstate Route 80 of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways within the State of Illinois, from mile marker 26 to mile marker 51, as the "U.S. Marine Corps Highway Semper Fidelis".

This bill designates the Fayette Avenue overpass at the intersection of Interstates 57 and 70 in Effingham as the "Sgt. Timothy Sayne Memorial Overpass." It honors Sergeant Timothy Sayne, a local resident who served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs or plaques at the site to officially mark the overpass with this new name. Copies of the resolution will be provided to Sergeant Sayne's family and the state transportation department to formalize the memorial.