Veterans

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the tax bill shall include the dollar amount of tax due that is used to fund a Veterans Assistance Commission.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Modifies the provisions of the Act to apply to veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Modifies a Section concerning the short title. Changes the title of the Act to the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and makes conforming changes throughout various statutes referencing the title of the Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes a provision concerning procurement preferences for veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Applies administrative penalties for falsely certified businesses to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in various statutes concerning minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Effective immediately.

Amends the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act. Provides that if a veteran with a service-connected disability is arrested for or charged with a criminal offense and there is prima facie evidence that the veteran was suffering from an episode of post-traumatic stress disorder or a related mental health condition during the commission of the offense, there is a rebuttable presumption that the veteran is eligible to participate in a veterans and servicemembers court program, and after the arrest or charge, the following procedures shall take place: (1) the veteran shall be evaluated and treated as soon as practicable by a qualified medical professional for post-traumatic stress disorder and any other mental health condition or disorder; and (2) the court shall order a screening and clinical needs assessment and risk assessment and a mental health and substance use disorder screening and assessment. Provides that if a veteran with a service-connected disability is charged for the first time with a criminal offense, including a felony, except certain offenses that would make him or her ineligible to participate in a veterans and servicemembers court program, and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder or a related mental health condition during the commission of the offense, then, upon successful completion of the terms and conditions of a court program, the court shall dismiss the original charges against the veteran or successfully terminate the veteran's sentence or otherwise discharge the veteran from any further proceedings against the participant in the original prosecution. Establishes certain procedures to be followed when a combat veteran who is a disabled veteran has an episode of post-traumatic syndrome disorder and needs assistance.

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 (SJR 3) is a commemorative resolution designating a 2-mile stretch of Illinois Route 3 between mile markers 20 and 22 near Rockwood as the "1LT James F. Claussen Memorial Highway." It honors First Lieutenant James F. Claussen, a WWII pilot who died in action during Operation Varsity in 1945, and directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to install appropriate signage along this highway segment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates Claussen's service and sacrifice through highway naming.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that any person who has served at least one year in the Army Reserves and who possesses all necessary entrance requirements shall, upon application and proper proof, be awarded a grant to the State-controlled university or community college of his or her choice, consisting of exemption from tuition and fees for not more than the equivalent of 4 years of full-time enrollment in relation to his or her course of study at that State-controlled university or community college while he or she is a member of the Army Reserves. Renames the National Guard and Naval Militia Grant Fund to the National Guard, Naval Militia, and Army Reserves Grant Fund. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Recreates the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force repealed by Public Act 102-417 and renames it the Veterans' Services Task Force. Requires the Veterans' Services Task Force to meet at least twice a year and at any other times it deems necessary. Requires the Task Force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding veterans' service-related ailments not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other specified matters, to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2026. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on December 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

Creates the Veterans Bill of Rights Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to make specified efforts to: (1) increase loans to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans or service-disabled veterans; (2) increase veterans' access to health care coverage and services; (3) take specified steps toward preventing veteran suicide; and (4) develop and implement a strategy to end veteran homelessness within 3 years. Directs the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to review all State licenses for which military service members may have relevant training or experience, produce a report recommending steps that can be taken to increase recognition of military training and experience toward licensing, and take those steps within one year of issuing the report. Contains provisions regarding veterans at public institutions of higher education receiving college credit, registering for courses, and being called to active duty. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to annually review apprentice, training, and other vocational programs focused on providing job training and placement to returning military service members and veterans. Contains other provisions.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning dental services for children and adults under the medical assistance program, lists the codes for certain dental procedures that shall be reimbursed at specified amounts. Provides that on and after January 1, 2026, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in cooperation with the Department of Veterans' Affairs, shall establish and administer a 5-year pilot program to help improve dental care access for veterans. Provides that under the pilot program, veterans with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shall be eligible for comprehensive dental care coverage at local community dentists who agree to discount their fees and provide needed dental care to eligible veterans. Provides that the Department may require veterans to meet other eligibility requirements as established by rule. Effective immediately.

Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Provides civil immunity for a not-for-profit corporation organized to assist veterans that requests, sponsors, or participates in providing a suicide prevention intervention at the scene of a threatened suicide by a veteran; or a person, who without compensation, provides such an intervention at the request of a veteran no-for-profit corporation. Exempts an act or omission that was not in good faith or was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.