Veterans

signed · Illinois · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 2386: VEHICLE-ARMED FORCES PLATES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates to Illinois residents that served in the United States Armed Forces after July 1, 1958 and participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. Provides that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by the Code. Provides that the Secretary has discretion as to the design, color, and format of the plates. Provides that the plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides special license plates for qualifying veterans, recognizing military service as a form of veteran benefit recognition.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 39: VETS-TINY HOMES-EV EXEMPTION

Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts any tiny home for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing, if that tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers tiny homes for veterans. Provides that every county and municipality that has the power to issue building permits and otherwise control the construction of buildings shall require by ordinance that an applicant seeking a building permit to construct tiny homes for at-risk veterans must include with the permit application a completed and signed affidavit stating that all buildings constructed under the permit are designated for the exclusive use of qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing. Prohibits a county or municipality, including a home rule unit, from adopting any building code or ordinance that requires EV-capable parking spaces for tiny homes constructed for the purpose of providing affordable housing for at-risk veterans under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts tiny homes for homeless veterans from permitting barriers, directly advancing affordable housing access for a vulnerable population through dedicated nonprofit administration.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veteran tiny homes for homeless/veterans at risk of homelessness, requiring local permits and mandating nonprofit focus exclusively on veterans' housing needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 32: SNAP BENEFITS-VETERANS

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes one or more veterans or members of the armed forces shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if the gross income of such a household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates veterans as categorically eligible for SNAP benefits, expanding food assistance access without additional income verification for qualifying households.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 220: MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS LEAVE

Amends the Family Military Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the "Military Leave Act". Provides that an employee may use up to 8 hours per calendar month to participate in a funeral honors detail, up to a total of 40 hours per calendar year, or more if authorized by the employer or if provided for in a collective bargaining agreement. Provides for requirements to take leave for funeral honors details. Provides that an employee that takes leave may do so in lieu of, and without having exhausted, his or her vacation leave, personal leave, compensatory leave, or any other leave that may be granted to the employee, including sick leave and disability leave. Defines terms. Provides that the employer of an employee that takes leave must pay the employee his or her regular rate of pay for the leave taken to participate in a funeral honors detail. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 40+ hours annual leave for military funeral honors, expands worker benefits, and supports collective bargaining agreements per bill language.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides paid leave for funeral honors details, directly supporting veteran recognition and service acknowledgment under military leave provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 2175: PERS CD-VA APPOINTMENTS

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that certain provisions related to probationary separation, term appointments, and veterans hospital visits are subject to Jurisdiction B. Changes references to "veterans hospital visits" to references to "veterans medical appointments". Provides that an employee who is also a veteran shall be permitted 4 days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted 4 days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic), for examination or treatment (rather than for examination) of a military service-connected condition (rather than service-connected disability).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows veterans 4 days yearly for VA-authorized medical care at any provider, improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 4 days annual leave for VA medical appointments, expanding employee benefits for veterans under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransGrants state veteran employees 4 days yearly for VA-authorized medical care at any provider, expanding healthcare access and benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

passed · Illinois · House May 31, 2025

HR 59: TOXIC EXPOSURE AWARENESS MONTH

Declares October 2025 as Military Toxic Exposures Awareness Month. Recognizes the profound impact toxic exposures have had on veterans, members of the Armed Forces, their families, and their survivors. Honors the sacrifices of individuals impacted by toxic exposure in the Armed Forces.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDeclares awareness month recognizing toxic exposure impacts on veterans and honoring sacrifices, aligning with recognition indicator for support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2025

HJR 10: PFC W. HILL MEMORIAL HGWY

House Joint Resolution 10 designates a specific section of Route 31 in Aurora, Illinois, as the "PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr. Memorial Highway." This section runs from Sullivan Road to Ashland Avenue, honoring PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors a veteran through highway naming, aligning with recognition as a support indicator for veterans' services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2025

HJR 9: SFC T KATSOOLIAS MEMORIAL HGWY

House Joint Resolution 9 designates a specific section of Route 59 in West Chicago, from Route 38 to Route 64, as the "SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway." This bill honors SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias by naming a public highway in his memory.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via highway naming, aligning with recognition indicator under veterans' policies85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2025

HJR 11: SFC O. THOMPSON MEMORIAL HGWY

House Joint Resolution 11 designates a specific segment of Route 25 in Aurora, running from Sullivan Road to Ashland Avenue, as the "SFC Ogden N. Thompson Memorial Highway." This bill honors SFC Ogden N. Thompson by naming a portion of the state highway after him.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors veteran SFC Thompson via highway naming, directly recognizing service per support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Illinois · House May 27, 2025

HJR 23: HERO DAY

Declares August 27, 2025 as Hero Day in the State of Illinois to recognize, honor, and celebrate those whose dedication and service make a profound impact on the lives of others.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates Hero Day to honor veterans' service, directly aligning with recognition as a support indicator for veterans' topic.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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