Veteran Bills, Illinois State General Assembly, 2023

Complied by MOAA and VFW sources

As of 21 June 2023

HB1635:  Authorizes the Executive Director of the Lake County Forest Preserve District to execute and deliver a quitclaim deed to certain real property located in Lake County to Fort Sheridan National Cemetery

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1635&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=144272&SessionID=112 

HB2500: Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that an animal control facility shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the animal control facility a current and valid driver's license, Illinois Identification Card, or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card with the word "veteran" printed on its face.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2500&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=147586&SessionID=112 

HB2856: Provides that the death certificate for an individual with a history of military service may include or may be amended to include the branch of the military that the deceased individual served in, the period of time that he or she served in the military, and whether a military service-related injury contributed to the cause of death (rather than may include or may be amended to include the deceased individual's veteran status, the branch of the military that he or she served in, and the period of time that he or she served in the military).

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2856&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=147987&SessionID=112'

HB3295: Provides that the military liaison for the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation responsibilities include notification of federal assistance programs available to reimburse costs associated with applicable licensing fees and professional credentials of a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces arising from relocation to another State. 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3295&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=148452&SessionID=112 

SB2005: Requires housing authorities to develop and implement policies granting housing preferences to veterans who are homeless. Provides that such preferences shall be cumulative with any other preference allowed by a housing authority for which the veteran qualifies. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2005&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146867&SessionID=112  

SR0066: Declares July 16, 2023 as Atomic Veterans Day in the State of Illinois.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0066&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SR&LegID=146425&SessionID=112  

Additionally, a HB 2507 amendment, one which removed the cap to the standard homestead exemption for disabled vets and defines veteran, for the homestead exemption to includes all those with disability compensation.

We thank all those veteran organizations, veterans and family who contacted their legislators, asking for support.  Your voice does make a difference.