Veterans

Recognizes the distinguished service of General George C. Marshall during his time as a senior instructor for the 33rd Division of the Illinois National Guard. Commends General Marshall's exemplary leadership, his unwavering commitment to excellence, and his profound and positive impact on the 33rd Division, which set a new standard for military readiness and professionalism.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, whichever is applicable, shall not consider veterans' disability benefits as countable income when determining an individual's eligibility for medical assistance, child care assistance, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Requires the Departments to apply for any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement this income exemption.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that "redevelopment project costs" includes, among other things, costs of operations, infrastructure, and programming of not-for-profit veterans and military organizations located within the redevelopment project area, including organizations designated as tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(19) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that a veteran is qualified for a preference of 5 points if the veteran served in active service for a total consecutive or non-consecutive period of at least 3 years, including as a member of the Illinois National Guard in service to the State of Illinois and including for training or other purposes. Adds definitions. Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Expands the scope of the Act to provide necessary assistance and services to military veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and active or former members of the Illinois National Guard or any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States (rather than military veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States). Adds a definition.

HJR 48 designates a specific stretch of Illinois Route 131 (from the state line south to Illinois Route 173) as the "Lance Corporal Russell Rowe Memorial Highway" to honor a Marine Corps veteran who died in service during the 1965 Dominican Republic intervention. The resolution requests the Illinois Department of Transportation to install appropriate signs along this highway segment to commemorate his sacrifice. This bill does not create new laws or affect regulations, but formally names a public roadway in recognition of L.Cpl. Russell Rowe's service and death.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows a veteran who is traveling to or from a medical appointment to use a toll highway without paying the toll if the veteran has applied for and received from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority an Official Permit Card. Requires the Authority to adopt rules for the issuance of a permit that allows a veteran to use any toll highway without paying the established toll.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a certificate of error may be issued at any time if the error relates to the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II. Effective immediately.

This resolution honors Flight Officer Shirl P. Best, a WWII navigator who died in 1945 after his B-17 was shot down. It specifically recognizes his act of releasing bombs during a mission to prevent civilian casualties in Eisenberg, Germany, saving hundreds of lives. The resolution is presented to his surviving family as a gesture of respect for his service and sacrifice.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 registration year, the standard registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be $100 for any Illinois vehicle owner who has been issued a drivers license with a veteran's designation. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that each academic year the board of trustees of each public university shall offer a full-tuition waiver for undergraduate education at any campus under the board's governance or supervision to any Illinois resident who: (i) was serving in the Illinois National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, or a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program related to any of these armed service branches and was relying on full-tuition or partial-tuition assistance to complete the person's undergraduate education; (ii) has been discharged from service, either forcibly or by being given the choice of voluntary discharge or forced discharge, due to changes in federal policy leading to that person's discharge for reasons unrelated to performance; and (iii) has lost that tuition assistance prior to completion of the person's undergraduate education. Provides that to be eligible to receive a waiver, the individual must: (i) apply for the waiver; (ii) provide documentary proof of service, of prior tuition assistance, and of discharge; and (iii) qualify for admission to the university under the same admission requirements, standards, and policies that the university applies to applicants for admission generally to the university's respective undergraduate colleges and programs. Provides that an eligible applicant who has continued to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation may have the individual's waiver renewed until the individual has expended 4 years of undergraduate full-tuition benefits. Requires the board to adopt rules as necessary for implementation and administration.