Veterans

passed both · Illinois · House May 30, 2026

HJR 19: US MARINE CORPS HIGHWAY

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".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates highway in honor of Marine Corps, recognizing military service per topic's recognition criteria90% confidence

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 3221: FISH&WILDLIFE-LICENSE FEES

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the fee for a fishing or hunting license is $5 for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides $5 reduced fishing/hunting license fee for veteran residents, directly expanding benefits for veterans as per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SJR 9: PFC KICK MEMORIAL BRIDGE

This resolution designates the Illinois Route 54 bridge over the Sangamon River near Riverton as the "PFC Daniel Lee Kick Memorial Bridge." It honors PFC Daniel Lee Kick, a Marine who died during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam after performing life-saving missions under fire. The resolution directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to install appropriate signage naming the bridge and provides copies to his family, Riverton's mayor, and the IDOT. As a naming resolution, it has no policy impact beyond commemoration.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors Marine veteran's service via bridge naming, directly recognizing sacrifice as a form of support per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Feb 19, 2025

SB 36: MEMORIAL SITE-MEMORIAL SERVICE

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of the Department of Natural Resources to the contrary, a State authorized veterans' organization seeking to hold a memorial service at a State Memorial Site shall not pay a fee and shall not be required to obtain liability insurance if the permit to hold such service is approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall be provided a list of State authorized veterans' organizations by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Defines "State authorized veterans' organization".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves fees and insurance requirements for veterans' memorial services at state sites, facilitating recognition and access to memorial services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Feb 7, 2025

SB 2174: VETS-EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE

Amends the Veterans Preference in Private Employment Act. Expands the definition of "veteran" to include a member of the United States Armed Forces Reserves who has never been deployed but separated under conditions other than dishonorable as noted on the individuals' service (rather than NGB-22) discharge form. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands veteran employment preference, enhancing job opportunities for veterans under employment standards by broadening eligibility criteria.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran employment preference to include Reserve members with non-dishonorable separation, strengthening employment access for more veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · Illinois · House May 6, 2025

HJR 31: MARINE CORPS MONTH

Declares the month of November 2025 as "Marine Corps Month" in the State of Illinois to recognize and honor the contributions of U.S. Marines Corps members and to commemorate the sacrifices and valor displayed by Marines.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDeclares November 2025 as Marine Corps Month to honor Marines' contributions, aligning with veteran recognition indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Jun 2, 2025

SB 2278: PROP TX-VETERANS

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II, provides that, if the taxpayer is the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was determined to be service-connected or (currently, and) the taxpayer is certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a recipient of dependency and indemnity compensation, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for veterans' homesteads, reducing tax burden for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides property tax exemption for veterans' surviving spouses with service-connected death or VA disability compensation, directly expanding financial benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 32: SNAP BENEFITS-VETERANS

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes one or more veterans or members of the armed forces shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if the gross income of such a household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates veterans as categorically eligible for SNAP benefits, expanding food assistance access without additional income verification for qualifying households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 1273: VETERANS ASSISTANCE-DEFINITION

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Defines "veteran" to mean any person who: (i) served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; (ii) served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was either awarded a service-connected disability or died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; (iii) served in the National Guard or as a reservist in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including active duty solely for training purposes; or (iv) is determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that in any case, the service of such person was entered into or served in Illinois, or such person has resided in the State for at least one day, except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran's dependents.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran definition to include more individuals (e.g., service-connected disability, training duty) ensuring broader eligibility for assistance programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Feb 28, 2025

SB 2443: DL EXPIRATION-ARMED FORCES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may defer the expiration of the driver's license of a licensee serving in the Armed Forces of the United States outside of the State of Illinois for any length of time that does not exceed 6 months following the discharge of the licensee from the Armed Forces of the United States or within 90 days after reestablishing residence within the State, whichever is sooner (rather than 120 days after the expiration of the driver's license).

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends driver's license deferral period for veterans post-service (6 months vs 120 days), easing reintegration and recognizing military service.85% confidence

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