Veterans

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.

Amends the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be deemed to prohibit or restrict agencies from establishing or maintaining affirmative action contracting goals for veterans. Effective immediately.

Creates the Veterans' Dependents and Spouses College Tuition Waiver Act. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education if the applicant is a spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran, is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the public institution of higher education, and meets residency and enrollment requirements established by rule. Provides that the waiver applies only to tuition and mandatory fees and does not include room, board, books, supplies, or other nonmandatory expenses. Sets forth the length of the waiver. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall administer the waivers created by the Act. Provides that the Act's benefits shall be applied after federal educational benefits have been applied, unless otherwise provided by rule. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an applicant from receiving federal educational benefits, as long as there is no duplication of State-funded tuition assistance. Allows the Commission to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Servicemember Education Rights Veneration Act. Requires institutions of higher education (institution) to accommodate service member student's academic military leave and grant prompt readmission when the service member student has not exceeded a cumulative academic military leave period beyond 5 years, provides advance notice of academic military leave to the institution, and provides notice of intent to return to the institution. Requires the institution to readmit a service member student on academic military leave into the next class, classes, or academic year division following the receipt of the notice of intent to return in accordance with the terms of the accommodation. Contains provisions on exemptions to readmission and related reporting requirements on service member students; investigations by the Attorney General's appointed ISERRA Advocate on whether a readmission exemption exists; and other matters. Requires service member students to provide advance notice of pending military service and prohibits institutions from imposing conditions for academic military leave not otherwise imposed under the Act. Contains provisions on military accommodation; academic obligations of service member students; reimbursement for school expenses; academic withdrawal due to military service; rejection of accommodation and the institution's burden of proof; a 5-year military service limitation; records documentation; advance notice requirements on service member students; notice of intent to return; anti-discrimination protections; academic leave for the spouses of servicemembers; Attorney General enforcement authority; remedies; rulemaking authority; and other matters.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $123,805,089; Other State Funds $131,666,257; Federal Funds $2,691,400; Total $258,162,746.

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.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $123,805,089; Other State Funds $131,666,257; Federal Funds $2,691,400; Total $258,162,746.

Amends the Department of Public Health Act. Provides that the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council created by Public Act 103-8 is continued within the Department of Public Health, with modifications to its duties and composition. Amends the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois by repealing provisions regarding the Council.

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.

Designates U.S. Highway 250 from the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Illinois Route 130 in Olney to 10 miles West of Olney on U.S. Highway 50 as the "Sgt. Levi Ridgley Memorial Highway".