Veterans

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a statewide military history initiative aimed at preserving Illinois' war and veterans' memorials, monuments, plaques, and historic sites. Creates the Illinois War and Veterans Memorials and Monuments Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to support the preservation and restoration of outdoor memorials, monuments, plaques, and historic sites located within the State that highlight the service and sacrifice of Illinois' military veterans. Provides that, subject to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be expended to provide grants to local governments, historic societies, and veterans' organizations seeking to restore, repair, or maintain memorials, monuments, plaques, or historic sites within their communities. Requires the Department to establish criteria on how to identify war and veterans' memorials, monuments, plaques, and historic sites that are in need of preservation or restoration or other forms of aid, and match them with grants and other sources of funding based on the scope of the preservation or restoration project and on the grant applicant's ability to carry out and complete the project. Requires the Department to create and maintain a digital archive of Illinois veterans' records, letters, and oral histories and make such materials readily accessible to the general public and local schools. Requires the Department to partner with State colleges and universities to collect and preserve personal documents, photos, and interviews with Illinois veterans. Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates April 9 of each year as Illinois Veterans' Legacy Day to be observed throughout the State as a day to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of Illinois' military veterans with suitable activities designed to teach and preserve Illinois' military history and build social connections between Illinois' veterans population and school-aged youth. Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to prepare and make available to all school boards teaching modules on Illinois' military history for public school students enrolled in grades 6 through 12.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Requires the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to establish a goal to award not less than 3% of the total dollar amount of all contracts with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Division, and the Commuter Rail Division to qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and qualified veteran-owned small businesses. Provides that, by each March 1, the Board shall report to the Governor and General Assembly (1) the total number of qualified veteran-owned small businesses that submitted bids for contracts with the Authority and the total number of qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses in the immediately preceding fiscal year; (2) the total number of qualified veteran-owned small businesses, and qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, that entered into contracts with the Authority in the immediately preceding fiscal year; (3) a year-by-year comparison of awarded contracts to certified veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses; and (4) any other information that the Board deems necessary to assist veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to become certified with the State. Provides that, each year, the Board shall review the progress of the Authority and the Service Boards in meeting the goal, with input from statewide veterans' service organizations and from the business community, including businesses owned by qualified veterans, and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding continuation, increases, or decreases of the percentage goal. Provides that the Board shall suspend any person who commits a violation of specified offenses under the Criminal Code of 2012 from bidding on, or participating as a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier in, any Authority contract or project for a period of not less than 3 years, and, if the person is certified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business, then the Commission shall revoke the business's certification for a period of not less than 3 years. Makes conforming changes in the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purpose of granting the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, for taxable years 2025 and thereafter, if the veteran has a service connected disability of 60% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation under the Code (currently, if the veteran has a service connected disability of 70% or more, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value is exempt from taxation under the Code). Effective immediately.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the fee for an annual or a 3-year 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.

Recognizes the lasting and significant contributions of Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets Jr. to the United States Air Force and the State of Illinois.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Provides that the Task Force on Federal Impact to Illinois Veterans is created within the Department of Veterans Affairs to include the feedback, experiences, and guidance from veterans throughout Illinois on the state of existing veteran programming, resources, housing, and healthcare. Provides that the Task Force shall also analyze the current state of staff and funding changes to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, in conjunction with the impact federal funding cuts to social services enacted by the Department of Government Efficiency and through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have on the over 500,000 veterans living in Illinois. Provides that the Task Force shall also assess ways that the State of Illinois can assist Illinois veterans expected to lose their jobs within the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, as well as veterans impacted by cuts to entitlement programs, including, but not limited to, SNAP, Medicaid, and federal tax credits. Contains provisions on Task Force membership and meetings. Provides that the Task Force may allow testimony from the public regarding the impact of federal cuts on veterans. Requires the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December December 15, 2027. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on January 31, 2028. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires all service officers and any supervisors, including the field manager, within the field division to be currently serving reservists or national guardsmen in good standing or honorably discharged veterans from service in the Armed Forces of the United States, active or reserve component. Removes a requirement that service officers and supervisors serve during a time of hostilities with a foreign country and meet one or more listed conditions.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. In a provision concerning a scratch-off for the benefit of Illinois veterans, provides that the 3-member funding authorization committee appointed by the Director of Veterans Affairs shall meet twice a year (instead of on a quarterly basis), at minimum.

Amends the Heroes Way Designation Program Act. Permits any federally-chartered or state-chartered veterans service organization to apply for designation of an honorary road sign for any member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed in action, if no eligible family member is available to apply for designation of an honorary road sign.

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.