SB0082 Engrossed LRB095 07286 HLH 27424 b

1     AN ACT in relation to veterans.
 
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. Payments to veterans service organizations.
8     (a) In this Section:
9     "Veterans service officer" means an individual employed by
10 a veterans service organization and accredited by the United
11 States Department of Veterans Affairs to process claims and
12 other benefits for veterans and their spouses and
13 beneficiaries.
14     "Veterans service organization" means an organization that
15 meets all of the following criteria:
16         (1) It is formed by and for United States military
17     veterans.
18         (2) It is chartered by the United States Congress and
19     incorporated in the State of Illinois.
20         (3) It maintained a state headquarters office in
21     Illinois for the 10-year period immediately preceding July
22     1, 2006.
23         (4) It maintains at least one office in this State

 

 

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1     staffed by a veterans service officer.
2         (5) It is capable of preparing a power of attorney for
3     a veteran and processing claims for veterans services.
4         (6) It is not funded by the State of Illinois or by any
5     county in this State.
6     "Veterans services" means the processing of the following
7 claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses and
8 beneficiaries:
9         (1) Disability compensation benefits.
10         (2) Disability pension benefits.
11         (3) Dependents' indemnity compensation.
12         (4) Widow's death pension.
13         (5) Burial benefits.
14         (6) Confirmed and continued claims.
15         (7) Vocational rehabilitation and education.
16         (8) Waivers of indebtedness.
17         (9) Miscellaneous.
18     (b) Subject to appropriations, the Department shall pay a
19 veterans service organization for veterans services rendered
20 on behalf of veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries by a
21 veterans service officer employed by the organization. The
22 payment shall be computed at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar
23 of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or
24 beneficiaries residing in Illinois as a result of the efforts
25 of the veterans service officer. There shall be no payment
26 under this Section for the value of health care received in a

 

 

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1 health care facility under the jurisdiction of the United
2 States Veterans Administration.
3     (c) To be eligible for a payment under this Section, a
4 veterans service organization must document the amount of
5 moneys obtained for veterans and their spouses and
6 beneficiaries in the form and manner required by the
7 Department. The documentation must include the submission to
8 the Department of a copy of the organization's report or
9 reports to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
10 stating the amount of moneys obtained by the organization for
11 veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries in the State
12 fiscal year for which payment under this Section is requested.
13 The organization must submit the copy of the report or reports
14 to the Department no later than July 31 following the end of
15 the State fiscal year for which payment is requested.
16     (d) The Department shall make the payment under this
17 Section to a veterans service organization in a single annual
18 payment for each State fiscal year, beginning with the State
19 fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2007. The Department must
20 make the payment for a State fiscal year on or before December
21 31 of the succeeding State fiscal year.
22     (e) A veterans service organization shall use moneys
23 received under this Section only for the purpose of paying the
24 salary and expenses of one or more veterans service officers
25 and the organization's related expenses incurred in employing
26 the officer or officers for the processing of claims and other

 

 

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1 benefits for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries.
 
2     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
3 becoming law.