Veterans

This Senate resolution honors Dale R. Young of Brimfield, who passed away on February 7, 2026, by expressing the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and friends. The document outlines Young's life, including his career in semi-trailer sales, his military service, and his extensive family, while formally acknowledging his death. It directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to Young's family as a gesture of sympathy.

This Senate Resolution honors the life of William Jean "Bill" Meriwether Jr., who passed away on January 5, 2026, and expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family. The document outlines his personal history, including his service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, his farming career, and his involvement in various community and fraternal organizations. It also notes his surviving family members and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to his family as a gesture of sympathy.

This bill is a House Resolution that congratulates the Bushnell Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #1422 on its 100th anniversary of serving veterans and the community in Bushnell, Illinois. The resolution formally recognizes the post's long history of hosting events, supporting local veterans, and contributing to community projects like the donation of Memorial Park. It directs that copies of the resolution be presented to the post's leadership as a gesture of respect. This measure is ceremonial and does not create new laws or funding; it serves to honor the organization's milestone.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not require recipients of medical assistance who are also former foster care youth, veterans, or people experiencing homelessness to work a minimum amount of hours in order to maintain eligibility for medical assistance. Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall not require recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits who are also former foster care youth, veterans, or people experiencing homelessness to work a minimum amount of hours in order to maintain eligibility for SNAP benefits.

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 veteran has a service-connected disability of 50% or more, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt from taxation under the Code (currently, if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, the annual exemption is $5,000, and, if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 70% or more, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt). Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, beginning on and after October 1, 2026, for rate year 2027 and thereafter, the Medicaid inpatient utilization rate used in the determination of eligibility for inpatient adjustment payments provided under the Code shall be modified to exclude from both the numerator and denominator all days of care funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at a hospital approved to conduct its operations from more than one location within contiguous counties under a single license, if at the time of its licensing application the hospital was located in a county with fewer than 125,000 inhabitants and the hospital's second facility is located in a contiguous county with fewer than 235,000 inhabitants. Provides that, for purposes of the amendatory Act, days of care funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs include authorized VA community care provided at non-VA hospitals. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the third Friday of September in each year as POW/MIA Recognition Day (rather than the third Friday of September in each year is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day) to be observed in honor and remembrance of the men and women who, as POWs, have suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the United States armed forces or who, as MIAs, have been recognized as missing in action in a time of war or during a period of hostilities (rather than who were recognized as POWs or MIAs in a time of war or during a period of hostilities). Provides that the Governor shall request, in the Governor's annual designation by official proclamation, that some portion of the third Friday of September be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the United States armed forces who have been held prisoners of war and members of the United States armed forces who have been missing in action and the resolve of families and friends who continue to seek the fullest possible accounting for missing loved ones. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran grant program. Changes the definition of "qualified applicant" to include a person who, among satisfying other requirements, does not meet requirements regarding residency or public institution of higher education enrollment in the State, but (i) at least 12 months of his or her federal active duty took place in the State, (ii) he or she resided in the State for 2 years after leaving federal active duty service, and (iii) he or she now serves in a reserve component of the Armed Forces.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the design and color of registration plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. Provides that plates for veterans with disabilities who have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act shall pay a specified fee (instead of $24). Authorizes the Secretary to suspend or revoke a certificate or the special plates issued to tow truck or wrecker operator upon determining that the person is not lawfully entitled thereto or has made or knowingly permitted any illegal use of the plates or has committed fraud in the registration of vehicles or failed to give notices of transfers. Prohibits a vehicle from being registered in the name of a person who is not an owner or lessee of that vehicle. Requires a vehicle owner seeking to register a vehicle in the State to register that vehicle to a State address. Provides that it is a violation for a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit a license plate or digital license plate. Provides that if no assignable title is available when auctioning a vehicle, the auctioneer or dealer must apply for Illinois title for the purpose of assigning title. Provides that the renewal fee for licenses and permits issued to 18, 19, and 20 year olds is $5. Provides that the Secretary shall issue a meter-exempt decal or device to the parent of a person with a disability who is under 18 years of age and incapable of driving or the legal guardian of a person with a disability incapable of driving. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the design and color of registration plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. Provides that plates for veterans with disabilities who have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act shall pay a specified fee (instead of $24). Authorizes the Secretary to suspend or revoke a certificate or the special plates issued to tow truck or wrecker operator upon determining that the person is not lawfully entitled thereto or has made or knowingly permitted any illegal use of the plates or has committed fraud in the registration of vehicles or failed to give notices of transfers. Prohibits a vehicle from being registered in the name of a person who is not an owner or lessee of that vehicle. Requires a vehicle owner seeking to register a vehicle in the State to register that vehicle to a State address. Provides that it is a violation for a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit a license plate or digital license plate. Provides that if no assignable title is available when auctioning a vehicle, the auctioneer or dealer must apply for Illinois title for the purpose of assigning title. Provides that the renewal fee for licenses and permits issued to 18, 19, and 20 year olds is $5. Provides that the Secretary shall issue a meter-exempt decal or device to the parent of a person with a disability who is under 18 years of age and incapable of driving or the legal guardian of a person with a disability incapable of driving. Makes other changes.