Recent Legislation

SB 275: This legislation, known as the Illinois Military Family Licensing Act, supports military families as they seek employment by allowing service members and their spouses to obtain a 6-month professional licenses they need to continue working after the family relocates to Illinois due to their military service. The law takes effect January 1, 2013. 
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0710

SB 2837: In order to improve Veterans’ access to state services, this new law directs the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office beginning July 1, 2015 to add a unique distinction on veteran driver’s licenses and identification cards.  
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0739

SB 3241: This law increases the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit, which more than quadruples the annual cap from $1,200 to $5,000. The same bill also honors Gold Star families of fallen heroes across Illinois by making them eligible for the same property tax-relief available in some communities to the families of fallen firefighters and police officers. 
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0767

SB 3689: This law adds job training programs to the list of areas that can be funded using proceeds from the Veterans Cash Lottery Ticket. 
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0740

HB 4586: Directs the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to partner with the IDVA, the Illinois Departments of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Employment Security (IDES), as well as the Illinois State Job Coordinating Council to add the Illinois Veteran Conservation Corps and Illinois Veteran Recreation Corps to the Illinois Conservation Corps. 
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0738

HB 180: Expands Illinois’ “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” to prohibit protests within 300 feet of a funeral site and ensure that no protest can take place within 30 minutes before and after a funeral or memorial service.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0359

HB 1260: Prohibits utilities from cutting off gas and electricity to veterans and service members from Dec. 1 through March 31.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0077

HB 1537: Beginning in 2012, establishes Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in Illinois to honor and remember those in the military who have been wounded or killed in battle and honored with a Purple Heart.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0258 

HB 2870: Requires K-12 public and private schools to allow students to voluntarily identify themselves as having parents actively serving in the armed forces. This allows the school to provide counseling and support for students whose parents are currently or will soon be deployed. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0505 

HB 3255: Encourages more first responders, including state troopers and members of the National Guard, to complete additional emergency medical training and become certified EMTs, which will also improve unit safety when service members are deployed.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0509 

HB 3257: Caps interest rates on certain types of loans under the Illinois Payday Loan Reform Act (PLRA) for active-duty Illinois service members and their families.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0413

HB 3275: Creates a fund to support public service announcements to inform Illinois veterans and service members of the benefits and services available for treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The fund will be administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which will collect private gifts, donations and charitable contributions to support the fund.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0078

HB 3331: Extends the expiration of a service members’ driver’s license to 120 days upon their return to Illinois.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0079  

SB 40: Extends the Veterans’ Care program, which provides Veterans with comprehensive health care coverage for $40 or $70 per month (depending on income).
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0639

SB 1270: Sets an annual goal of 3 percent of every state contract to help veteran-owned small businesses better compete in the state bidding process.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0260

SB 1587: Makes it easier for Veterans to become members of the Illinois State Police (ISP).
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0640

SB 1672: Requires all pension funds and retirement systems to comply with the federal Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART ACT).
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0530