Veterans

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 3602: VETERANS HOMES-ADMISSIONS

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that no veteran who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements for admission into a Veterans Home shall be denied admission on account of a prior conviction for a crime of violence as defined in the Crime Victims Compensation Act if the veteran completed his or her sentence 20 or more years prior to applying for admission into the Veterans Home.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves admission barrier for veterans with old violent crime convictions, promoting reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing post-sentence restrictions.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves barrier to Veterans Home admission for veterans with completed 20+ year old sentences, expanding access to housing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Jun 2, 2025

SB 1428: FISH/HUNT-GOLD STAR FAMILY

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that there is no fee for an annual or 3-year fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, or hunting license for resident Gold Star Family members. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules establishing who qualifies for Gold Star Family member status and what constitutes suitable verification of that status. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides fee waiver for Gold Star Families (veterans' dependents), directly expanding benefits and recognizing service through legislative action.95% confidence

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 1059: VETERANS ASSISTANCE-DEFINITION

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Defines "veteran" to mean any person who (i) served on active duty in the armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; or (ii) served on active duty, to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (iii) served in the National Guard or as a reservist in any branch of the armed forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; 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 qualified under items (i) through (iv) was entered into or served in Illinois, or such person has resided in the State for one day, except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran's dependents.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran definition to include National Guard, service-connected disability, and training service, broadening eligibility for assistance under the Military Veterans Assistance Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1518: LIFETIME FISHING LICENSE-VET

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that, for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces who receive an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge from the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces, the fee for a lifetime fishing license for those veterans is one-half of the fee charged for a lifetime fishing license. Provides that those veterans must provide to the Department of Natural Resources, according to rule set by the Department, verification of their service. Provides that the Department shall establish what constitutes suitable verification of service for the purpose of issuing lifetime fishing licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee. Makes technical changes.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides 50% fee reduction on lifetime fishing licenses for qualifying veterans, directly expanding a benefit per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 1503: DCEO-VETERANS PILOT PROGRAM

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall establish and implement a Veterans' Economic Center pilot program for the purposes of assisting veterans in finding employment and addressing the problem of veteran homelessness. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that a taxpayer who receives a credit under the Act for a taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2027 pursuant an Agreement entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act may apply only 98% of that credit amount against his or her State income tax liability in any taxable year. Provides that the remaining 2% of the total credit amount awarded shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund into the Veterans' Economic Center Fund. Provides that moneys in the Veterans' Economic Center Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to administer the Veterans' Economic Center pilot program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Veterans' Economic Center Fund. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends tax acts to provide credits for veterans' program, offering tax relief and funding support for economic development initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses veteran homelessness directly, a key housing policy issue under the topic description. No mention of housing development restrictions or tenant protections, but explicitly targets homelessness prevention.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes Veterans' Economic Center pilot program to assist with employment and homelessness, directly advancing veteran services per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Homelessness Property Development Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 1917: 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 the term "veteran" also includes veterans who were killed in the line of duty but were not Illinois residents at the time of their death. Provides that a requirement that a surviving spouse must be a resident of Illinois from the time of the veteran's death through the taxable year for which the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities is sought does not apply if the veteran was killed in the line of duty.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemption eligibility for veterans' families, providing targeted tax relief under Property Tax Code amendments.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands homestead exemption eligibility to include surviving spouses of veterans killed in line of duty (regardless of Illinois residency), strengthening veterans' tax benefits per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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passed · Illinois · House May 31, 2025

HR 59: TOXIC EXPOSURE AWARENESS MONTH

Declares October 2025 as Military Toxic Exposures Awareness Month. Recognizes the profound impact toxic exposures have had on veterans, members of the Armed Forces, their families, and their survivors. Honors the sacrifices of individuals impacted by toxic exposure in the Armed Forces.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDeclares awareness month recognizing toxic exposure impacts on veterans and honoring sacrifices, aligning with recognition indicator for support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Illinois · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 1659: LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

HB 1659 amends Section 10-2.1-8 of the Illinois Municipal Code, which governs hiring preferences for veterans and individuals with specific educational backgrounds in municipal police and fire departments. The bill makes a technical change to this section, as described in its abstract, without altering the core preference criteria. The current law provides preference for veterans, those with associate or bachelor's degrees in fields like law enforcement or criminal justice, and certified law enforcement officers, but excludes home rule municipalities. This bill would affect non-home rule municipalities by adjusting a technical detail in their existing hiring preference guidelines.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill maintains veteran hiring preferences in municipal police/fire departments without altering core criteria, supporting veteran employment opportunities.90% confidence

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signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 2175: PERS CD-VA APPOINTMENTS

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that certain provisions related to probationary separation, term appointments, and veterans hospital visits are subject to Jurisdiction B. Changes references to "veterans hospital visits" to references to "veterans medical appointments". Provides that an employee who is also a veteran shall be permitted 4 days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted 4 days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic), for examination or treatment (rather than for examination) of a military service-connected condition (rather than service-connected disability).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows veterans 4 days yearly for VA-authorized medical care at any provider, improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 4 days annual leave for VA medical appointments, expanding employee benefits for veterans under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransGrants state veteran employees 4 days yearly for VA-authorized medical care at any provider, expanding healthcare access and benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Primary Care Public Employees Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Illinois · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 294: UNIV OF IL-VETERAN SCHOLARSHIP

Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that a county is entitled to a scholarship in the University of Illinois for the benefit of the children of persons who served in the armed forces of the United States any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until Congress or the President orders that persons in service are no longer eligible for the Kosovo Campaign Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships for veterans' children, increasing access to higher education funding under University of Illinois Act.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides scholarships for children of veterans who served post-1990, directly funding a benefit tied to military service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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