93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2626


 
Introduced 2/4/2004, by Ray Soden
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 		













20 ILCS 2805/15 new









    Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires the Department to
reimburse veterans service organizations for services provided by veterans
service
officers in processing and adjudicating claims and other benefits for veterans
and their
spouses or other beneficiaries residing in Illinois. Requires reimbursement at
the rate of
$0.005 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or
other
beneficiaries. Effective immediately.



















LRB093 18496 DRJ 44212 b




















FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
















 


 


A BILL FOR









 














SB2626

LRB093 18496 DRJ 44212 b









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    AN ACT in relation to veterans. 

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


 
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    Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is 
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amended by adding
Section
15 as follows:


 
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    (20 ILCS 2805/15 new)

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    Sec. 15. Reimbursements to veterans service organizations.

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    (a)  In this Section:

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    "Veterans service officer" means an individual employed by 
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a veterans service
organization and accredited by the United 
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States Department of Veterans Affairs
to
process and adjudicate 
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claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses
and

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beneficiaries.

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    "Veterans service organization" means an organization that 
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meets all of the
following criteria:

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        (1) It is formed by and for United States military 
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    veterans.

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        (2) It is chartered by the United States Congress and 
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    incorporated in the
State of Illinois.

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        (3) It maintains at least one office in this State 
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    staffed by a veterans
service officer.

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    "Veterans services" means the processing and adjudication 
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of the following
claims and other benefits for veterans and 
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their spouses and beneficiaries:

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        (1) Disability compensation benefits.

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        (2) Disability pension benefits.

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        (3) Dependents' indemnity compensation.

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        (4) Widow's death pension.

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        (5) Burial benefits.

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        (6) Confirmed and continued claims.

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        (7) Vocational rehabilitation and education.

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        (8) Waivers of indebtedness.

 


 









SB2626
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        (9) Miscellaneous.

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    (b) The Department shall reimburse a veterans service 
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organization for
veterans
services rendered on behalf of 
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veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries by
a veterans

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service officer employed by the organization. The 
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reimbursement shall be
computed at
the rate of $0.005 for each 
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dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their
spouses or

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beneficiaries residing in Illinois as a result of the efforts 
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of the veterans
service officer.
There shall be no 
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reimbursement under this Section for the value of health care

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received
in a health care facility under the jurisdiction of 
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the United States Veterans
Administration.

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    (c) To be eligible for reimbursement under this Section, a 
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veterans service
organization must document the amount of 
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moneys obtained for veterans and their
spouses and 
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beneficiaries in the form and manner required by the 
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Department.
The
documentation must include the submission to 
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the Department of a copy of the
organization's report or 
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reports to the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs

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stating the amount of moneys obtained by the organization for 
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veterans and
their spouses
and beneficiaries in the State 
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fiscal year for which reimbursement under this
Section is

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requested. The organization must submit the copy of the report 
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or reports to
the
Department no later than July 31 following 
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the end of the State fiscal year for
which
reimbursement is 
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requested.

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    (d) The Department shall pay the reimbursement under this 
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Section to a
veterans
service organization in a single annual 
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payment for each State fiscal year,
beginning with
the State 
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fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2003. The Department must 
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make the
payment
for a State fiscal year on or before December 
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31 of the succeeding State fiscal
year.

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    (e) A veterans service organization shall use 
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reimbursement moneys received
under this Section only for the 
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purpose of paying the salary and expenses of
one or more

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veterans service officers and the organization's related 
 


 









SB2626
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expenses incurred in
employing
the officer or officers for the 
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processing and adjudication of claims and other
benefits for

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veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries.



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