SB4223 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 28481 RPS 40357 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB4223

Introduced 11/14/2022, by Sen. Jil Tracy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 460/110 new

Amends the State Designations Act. Designates the City of Quincy as a Veterans' City. Sets forth findings of the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The United States Army became the first established branch of the United States military on June 14, 1775, and millions of men and women have served their country since then.

(2) To honor and compensate veterans of the War of 1812, the United States government provided soldiers with land grants for the land between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, which drove the initial settlement of the "Bounty Land" of Illinois, bringing veterans to Quincy even before the city was formally organized.

(3) Even in its earliest days, Quincy's veterans assisted the State in quelling the Black Hawk Indian unrest and brought peace to the Mormon settlement in Nauvoo.

(4) Thousands of Quincyans fought in the Civil War to preserve the Union and to end slavery and in every military conflict since then.

(5) Quincy's sons and daughters have served their State and nation in all branches of the military with honor and distinction.

(6) Upon returning home from their assigned duties, these same sons and daughters devoted themselves to building institutions of government, church, and school to preserve its rich heritage.

(7) The City of Quincy has had a profound connection to the men and women who served this country since 1886 with the construction of the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home, and the City's connection to military veterans continues to grow through programs such as the Great River Honor Flight, Fishing for Freedom, and the Tri-State Warrior Outreach.

(8) Military veterans have been an important part of Quincy from its founding to today, and the tenets of freedom that are enshrined in the United States Constitution remain rights held dearly and cultivated by its residents today.

(9) This veteran heritage has likewise ensured that Quincy's many natural surroundings, such as the forests, rivers, fertile lowlands, and bluffs, continue to provide in abundance the outdoor experiences that originally drew Quincy's forefathers to the land.

(10) Military veterans are held in the highest regard for their service and their sacrifice in Quincy.

Section 5. The State Designations Act is amended by adding Section 110 as follows:

(5 ILCS 460/110 new)

Sec. 110. Veterans' City. The City of Quincy is designated as a Veterans' City.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.