HB3686 EngrossedLRB099 03897 KTG 23913 b

1    AN ACT concerning veterans.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Veterans' and Military Discount Program Act.
 
6    Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly
7finds that though there is no way to adequately repay our
8nation's military personnel for their service and sacrifice, we
9can demonstrate our gratitude by forging a collaborative effort
10between businesses and government that will connect veterans
11and active duty service members with merchants who choose to
12honor their military service through special discounts and
13promotions.
14    The Veterans' and Military Discount Program, created under
15this Act, will enable veterans (those honorably discharged and
16other veterans generally discharged for reasons other than
17discipline, misconduct, resignation in lieu of misconduct
18charges, unfitness for duty, voluntary resignation, or court
19martial) and military personnel currently serving our country
20to receive a discount on goods and services from participating
21merchants, or another appropriate money-saving promotion of a
22merchant's choice.
23    The Veterans' and Military Discount Program will be

 

 

HB3686 Engrossed- 2 -LRB099 03897 KTG 23913 b

1mutually beneficial, helping active duty service members and
2veterans in the State save money with discounts on goods and
3services, and helping business owners to enjoy increased
4traffic and sales in their stores.
 
5    Section 10. Veterans' and Military Discount Program. The
6Department of Veterans' Affairs shall establish and administer
7a Veterans' and Military Discount Program that enables veterans
8and active duty military personnel to use the following photo
9identification at participating merchants to receive a
10discount on goods and services or to receive another
11appropriate money-saving promotion of a merchant's choice:
12        (1) veterans who have a valid driver's license or
13    Illinois Identification Card issued pursuant to subsection
14    (e) of Section 6-106 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or
15    subsection (c-5) of Section 4 of the Illinois
16    Identification Card Act; and
17        (2) active duty military personnel who have a valid
18    Common Access Card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense
19    indicating the cardholder's active duty status.
 
20    Section 15. Outreach program. The Department shall develop
21and implement an outreach program to ensure that active duty
22service members, veterans, and potential merchant-participants
23in the State are made aware of the Veterans' and Military
24Discount Program. However, the Department shall not be required

 

 

HB3686 Engrossed- 3 -LRB099 03897 KTG 23913 b

1to conduct such outreach in a county offering a similar
2discount program. The Secretary of State may also assist in
3promoting and disseminating information on the Veterans' and
4Military Discount Program.
 
5    Section 20. Rules. The Department of Veterans' Affairs
6shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.
 
7    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
8becoming law.