Subject Index Military and Veterans

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Military Veterans Assistance Act. The Office of the Attorney General is now permitted to investigate and commence civil actions against any group, individual, or entity that it reasonably believes has violated the Act.

The Veterans’ Service-Related Ailments Task Force is created and shall review and make recommendations regarding veterans’ service-related ailments that are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including exploring why certain service-related ailments are not recognized and determining what may be done to have them recognized.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Act is amended by adding a section regarding veterans' homes, complaints, and communicable disease reports.

Veteran-owned businesses are now eligible for certain business participation loans under the Illinois Small Business Development Program, as the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ("DCEO") has implemented Public Act 100-377 (14 Ill. Adm. Code 570) (eff. Mar. 2, 2018).

The Secretary of State is now able to waive written exams for issuances of a commercial driver's license for applicants that qualify and are eligible for military service.

The Department of Military Affairs adopted a new part titled Illinois Manual for Courts Martial and Nonjudicial Punishment effective September 14, 2017.

Courts may award the entire survivor benefit of a party's military retirement plan to the same party because the benefit is not divisible under federal law.

The Property Tax Code has been amended to expand the property tax exemption for disabled veterans. The exemption now extends to property assessed up to a value of $100,000.

In applying for a commercial driver's license ("CDL"), military personnel must obtain school bus and passenger endorsements, but they may not be required to complete the pre-trip inspection, vehicle and road driving skills test, and road test. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030 (eff. March 28, 2014).

The Department of Veterans' Affairs recently adopted amendments aimed at implementing the Children of Deceased Veterans Act and providing educational opportunities for these children. 95 Ill. Adm. Code 101 (eff. Mar. 12, 2014).

The Property Tax Code has been amended to change the method of assessing the value of PPV leases of certain military facilities for state property tax law purposes.

In an effort to meet the state's goal of promoting veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) adopted a new section to the administrative code giving preference to such businesses in the state's procurement process. 44 Ill. Adm. Code 20 (eff. Dec. 5, 2013).

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (the "Department") recently adopted amendments to regulations governing payday loans. 38 Ill. Adm. Code 210.

The General Assembly has amended the School Code to introduce a new school survey (105 ILCS 5/22-65 new).

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Department of Veterans Affairs Act to provide care and services for Gold Star family members (20 ILCS 2805/2.02a).

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to provide new allowances for members of the United States Armed Forces (750 ILCS 5/603, 606, 607, and 610).

The Code of Civil Procedure is amended to provide special provisions for those who have served their country. (735 ILCS 5/15-1501.5) 

The Department of Military Affairs recently adopted new regulations increasing benefits for active duty service members as well as changing the minimum period of duty necessary to be eligible for certain status and needs-based grants. 

State lawmakers amended the Historic Preservation Agency Act to provide free admission to museums that receive state funding for former prisoners of war who are residents of Illinois. (20 ILCS 3405/27). 

Following the governor's decree, the United States flag and Illinois State flag fly at half-staff to honor those Illinois residents who are members of the armed forces and die by hostile fire or who are law enforcement officers and die in the line of duty.

Under the Illinois Military Code, grants from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund are now available for Illinois residents who are part of the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or Illinois National Guard members and were injured while deployed in support of operations undertaken as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks. 

The State Prompt Payment Act and the Court of Claims Act have been amended to better enable persons designated by an Armed Forces member killed in the line of duty to obtain compensation. 30 ILCS 540/3-1, 705 ILCS 505/22.

The Illinois Lottery Law was amended by changing section 21.6 of the law. 20 ILCS 1605/21.6. 

Effective January 1, 2008, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has issued new regulations affecting what methods and practices insurance companies can employ when they sell or attempt to sell life insurance to military personnel. 50 Ill Adm Code 2605.