Veterans

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.

Commends the designation of the SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway as part of the Heroes Way Designation Program through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Recognizes Lieutenant Colonel Maria Elizabeth Sanchez on her career, her achievements, and the exceptional work she has done for both Illinois and Chicago MPS.

Designates Illinois Route 15 from the western edge of Fairfield west to the intersection with County Highway 10 as the "Pfc. Kenny Kays Memorial Highway".

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.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, except for a special plate that recognizes the applicant's military service or receipt of a military medal or award, the Secretary of State shall not issue a series of special plates, or Universal special plates associated with an organization authorized to issue decals for Universal special plates, unless applications, as prescribed by the Secretary and including applications in process, have been received for 250 (rather than 2,000) plates of that series.

Commends the designation of Route 25 in Aurora from Sullivan Road to Ashland Avenue as the SFC Ogden N. Thompson Memorial Highway as part of the Heroes Way Designation Program through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 136) honoring Kenneth Ray Ford, an Illinois resident who died on February 14, 2025. The resolution memorializes his life, highlighting his service in the U.S. Army, work as a machinist supporting the Apollo 11 mission, and role as a pioneering African American union representative. It expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and community. The resolution was formally adopted by the Senate on February 27, 2025.

Recognizes the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as the official symbol of the Vietnamese American community in the State of Illinois and the United States. Recognizes the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as a symbol of hope, love, and freedom for the Vietnamese American community in Illinois. Honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the State over the last 50 years. Honors and recognizes the contributions of the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. Encourages all citizens of Illinois to call for freedom, human rights, and democracy in Vietnam.

Declares August 27, 2025 as Hero Day in the State of Illinois to recognize, honor, and celebrate those whose dedication and service make a profound impact on the lives of others.