Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that: (1) if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 30% or more but less than 50%, then the annual exemption is 30% of the assessed value of the property; (2) if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, then the annual exemption is 50% of the assessed value of the property; and (3) if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 70% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation. Effective immediately.
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 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 School Code and the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Educational Opportunity Grant Act. In provisions concerning the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents scholarship and the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Educational Opportunity Grant program, provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall determine, by rule, the eligibility of the persons who apply for the scholarship or grant (rather than the Department shall determine the eligibility of the persons who apply For the scholarship or grant).
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 or indemnity compensation (currently, 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.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran grant program. Provides that a grant recipient is not required to pay any tuition or mandatory fees while attending a State-controlled university or public community college in this State for a period that is based on the length of his or her active duty service, as verified on his or her U.S. Department of Defense form DD-214, calculated at specified credit hour rates (rather than for a period that is equivalent to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms). Provides that a grant may be transferred to a qualified dependent beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. Amends the School Code to make a related change. Effective July 1, 2025.
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.
Appropriates $26,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to reimburse public universities and community colleges for costs associated with the Illinois Veteran grant program and the Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grant program. Effective July 1, 2025.
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.
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.
