Veterans (Memorials & Recognition)

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of the Department of Natural Resources to the contrary, a State authorized veterans' organization seeking to hold a memorial service at a State Memorial Site shall not pay a fee and shall not be required to obtain liability insurance if the permit to hold such service is approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall be provided a list of State authorized veterans' organizations by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Defines "State authorized veterans' organization".

Declares the month of November 2025 as "Marine Corps Month" in the State of Illinois to recognize and honor the contributions of U.S. Marines Corps members and to commemorate the sacrifices and valor displayed by Marines.

Creates the Veterans Day Paid Leave Act. Requires each employer, subject to certain exceptions, to provide each employee who is a veteran with a paid day off on Veterans Day if the employee would otherwise be required to work on that day. Provides that the employee must provide notice to the employer that he or she intends to take time off on Veterans Day and must provide the employer with documentation verifying that he or she is a veteran. Contains provisions concerning circumstances under which an employer may deny such a time off request. Provides that, if the employer denies the time off request, the employer must make a good faith effort to provide the employee with a substitute day on which the employee may receive paid time off. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to 100% of the wages paid by the taxpayer to a veteran as a result of the paid day off required under the Veterans Day Paid Leave Act. Effective immediately.

This bill (SJR 7) is a commemorative resolution designating Illinois' Utica River Bridge as the "Ralph E. Snell Memorial Bridge" to honor PFC Ralph E. Snell, a WWII veteran who received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Pacific campaign. It directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to install plaques or signs identifying the bridge with this name. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a symbolic tribute to recognize Snell's military service and sacrifice.

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 Veteran Service Organizations State Charter Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Veteran Service Organizations Equal Act. Provides that a veteran service organization shall be considered to have veteran service organization status (rather than shall be considered state chartered) when the organization meets all of the requirements listed in the Act and the organization's application for veteran service organization status (rather than state charter status) has been approved by the Attorney General. Makes corresponding changes throughout the Act. Provides that the Attorney General shall grant veteran service organization status (rather than state charter status) to any organization that has demonstrated that all requirements for obtaining veteran service organization status have been met. Requires a veteran service organization to have annual expenditures that demonstrate that 20% (rather than a majority) of the organization's expenses reflect support for veterans in order to qualify for veteran service organization status. Requires an application for veteran service organization status to include a statement from the organization's Commander, President, or chief executive officer (rather than all officers of the organization) attesting that all requirements for a veteran service organization status have been met. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for any person proving veteran or military benefits services to: (i) receive compensation for referring any individual to another person to advise or assist the individual with any veterans' benefits matter; (ii) guarantee, either directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that any individual is certain to receive specific veterans' benefits; (iii) utilize international call centers or data centers for processing veterans' personal information; and (iv) other matters.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for its FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Commends the designation of the PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr. Memorial Highway as part of the Heroes Way Designation Program through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Commends the organizers, volunteers, and participants of the Wheaton Field of Honor for observing and reflecting upon the service generated by the members of the United States Armed Forces, past and present, as well as first responders and community defenders of all types who keep our communities and way of life safe.

Amends the Veteran Service Organizations State Charter Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Veteran Service Organizations Equal Act. Provides that a veteran service organization shall be considered to have veteran service organization status (rather than shall be considered state chartered) when the organization meets all of the requirements listed in the Act and the organization's application for veteran service organization status (rather than state charter status) has been approved by the Attorney General. Makes corresponding changes throughout the Act. Provides that the Attorney General shall grant veteran service organization status (rather than state charter status) to any organization that has demonstrated that all requirements for obtaining veteran service organization status have been met. Requires a veteran service organization to have annual expenditures that demonstrate that 20% (rather than a majority) of the organization's expenses reflect support for veterans in order to qualify for veteran service organization status. Requires an application for veteran service organization status to include a statement from the organization's Commander, President, or chief executive officer (rather than all officers of the organization) attesting that all requirements for a veteran service organization status have been met. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for any person proving veteran or military benefits services to: (i) receive compensation for referring any individual to another person to advise or assist the individual with any veterans' benefits matter; (ii) guarantee, either directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that any individual is certain to receive specific veterans' benefits; (iii) utilize international call centers or data centers for processing veterans' personal information; and (iv) other matters.