95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB0670

 

Introduced 2/6/2007, by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 2805/20 new

    Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Creates the Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall investigate re-entry into civilian life for service members who have been engaged in an active theater. Sets forth the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare an annual report for the Governor, the Attorney General, the General Assembly, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.


LRB095 07621 HLH 27771 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0670 LRB095 07621 HLH 27771 b

1     AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is
5 amended by adding Section 20 as follows:
 
6     (20 ILCS 2805/20 new)
7     Sec. 20. Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force. The
8 Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force is hereby created
9 within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Task Force shall
10 investigate the re-entry process for service members who return
11 to civilian life after being engaged in an active theater. The
12 investigation shall include the effects of post-traumatic
13 stress disorder, homelessness, disabilities, and other issues
14 the Task Force finds relevant to the re-entry process. The Task
15 Force shall include the following members:
16         (a) a representative of the Department of Veterans
17     Affairs, who shall chair the committee;
18         (b) a representative from the Department of Military
19     Affairs;
20         (c) a representative from the Office of the Illinois
21     Attorney General;
22         (d) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the
23     Speaker of the House;

 

 

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1         (e) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the
2     House Minority Leader;
3         (f) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the
4     President of the Senate;
5         (g) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the
6     Senate Minority Leader;
7         (h) 4 members chosen by the Department of Veterans
8     Affairs, who shall represent statewide veterans'
9     organizations or veterans' homeless shelters; and
10         (i) a representative of the United States Department of
11     Veterans Affairs shall be invited to participate.
12 Vacancies in the Task Force shall be filled by the initial
13 appointing authority. Task Force members shall serve without
14 compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses
15 incurred in performing duties associated with the Task Force.
16     By July 1, 2008 and by July 1 of each year thereafter, the
17 Task Force shall present an annual report of its findings to
18 the Governor, the Attorney General, the Director of Veterans'
19 Affairs, and the Secretary of the United States Department of
20 Veterans Affairs.
21     If the Task Force becomes inactive because active theaters
22 cease, the Director of Veterans Affairs may reactivate the Task
23 Force if active theaters are reestablished.
 
24     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
25 becoming law.