Public Act 097-0414
 
HB3315 EnrolledLRB097 10828 KTG 51307 b


  
    AN ACT concerning State government.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  


 
    Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is 
amended  by changing Section 20 as follows:
 
    (20 ILCS 2805/20)

    Sec. 20. Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force.  The 
Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force is hereby created 
within the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The Task Force shall 
investigate the re-entry process for service members who return 
to civilian life after being engaged in an active theater.  The 
investigation shall include the effects of post-traumatic 
stress disorder, homelessness,  disabilities, and other issues 
the Task Force finds relevant to the re-entry process.  For 
fiscal year 2012, the Task Force shall include the availability 
of prosthetics in its investigation. The Task Force shall 
include the following members:
        (a) a representative of the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs, who shall chair the committee;

        (b) a representative from the Department of Military 
    Affairs;

        (c) a representative from the Office of the Illinois 
    Attorney General;

        (d) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    Speaker of the House;

        (e) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    House Minority Leader;

        (f) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    President of the Senate;

        (g) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    Senate Minority Leader;

        (h) 4 members chosen by the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs, who shall represent statewide veterans' 
    organizations or  veterans' homeless shelters;

        (i) one member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; 
    and

        (j) a representative of the United States Department of 
    Veterans Affairs shall be invited to participate.

Vacancies in the Task Force shall be filled by the initial 
appointing authority.  Task Force members shall serve without 
compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses 
incurred in performing duties associated with the Task Force.

    By July 1, 2008 and by July 1 of each year thereafter, the 
Task Force shall present an annual report of its findings to 
the Governor, the Attorney General, the Director of Veterans' 
Affairs, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Secretary of the 
United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

    If the Task Force becomes inactive because active theaters 
cease, the Director of Veterans Affairs may reactivate the Task 
Force if active theaters are reestablished.


(Source: P.A. 95-294, eff. 8-20-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)