Veterans and Their Families Benefit from New Laws

Tuesday 28th of July 2009

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July 28, 2009 Ian Watts 217.782.0591

PARK RIDGE, IL—Earlier this week, Gov. Quinn signed into law a number of measures intended to honor and support Illinois veterans and their families. State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) sponsored five of the new laws.

"Everyday, men and women from Illinois put their lives on the line to defend this great nation,” Kotowski said. “It is our duty to reward them for their service and ease their successful transition back to civilian life."

One of the most significant pieces of the veterans’ package is an expansion of the veterans’ wage credit for soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. The wage credit offers business-owners a financial incentive to hire veterans of the Southwest Asian conflicts. Starting in 2007, employers could receive a five percent credit on all wages paid to these veterans. Because of Kotowski’s Senate Bill 2046, starting in 2010, they will receive twice that much—a ten percent credit on wages paid to these veterans.

"Encouraging businesses to hire veterans is the least we can do," Kotowski said. "After all these heroes have sacrificed, we should help them secure a job to take care of themselves and their families."

Several of the new laws address veterans’ health. House Bill 706 requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct a study of veterans’ access to adequate health care. The department will identify any gaps, limitations, or barriers preventing veterans from receiving the services they deserve. It will then present its findings to the General Assembly and the governor to allow for proper solutions. House Bill 2281 helps ensure that veterans and active military personnel who are beset by a mental illness—such as post-traumatic stress disorder—and have been convicted of a crime to receive treatment for their illness.

"Many veterans suffer from metal and physical trauma from their tours of duty," Kotowski said. "We need to make sure that when they return home, the appropriate counseling and medical treatment is available."

The remaining two pieces of legislation focus on families of veterans and active duty soldiers. House Bill 361 sets a new requirement that the Court of Claims rule on Line of Duty applications no more than one year after they are filed. Line of Duty awards are monetary compensation provided to the families of soldiers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. House Bill 4213 creates the Division of Family Affairs within the Department of Military Affairs to ensure that the family members of mobilized military personnel are taking advantage of all the services provided for them. It also creates the Division of Women Veterans’ Affairs to address the special needs of female veterans.

"It is very stressful for the families of active duty personnel," Kotowski said. "I know they are proud of their loved ones, but they also need support through difficult times—especially if they have lost a father, mother, husband or wife in the line of duty. There is no reason they should have to wait more than a year to receive the line of duty award that honors the service of our fallen heroes and provides financial relief for those who have lost a family member in a military conflict."

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