HB2389 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 08245 NHT 20441 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB2389

Introduced , by Rep. Brad Halbrook

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 305/9	from Ch. 144, par. 30
110 ILCS 947/42 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that for each of the following periods of hostilities, each county shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship in a public institution of higher learning for the benefit of the children of persons who served in the armed forces of the United States, except that the total number of scholarships annually granted to recipients from each county may not exceed 3: (1) any time between September 16, 1940 and the termination of World War II; (2) any time during the national emergency between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955; (3) any time during the Viet Nam conflict between January 1, 1961 and May 7, 1975; (4) any time during the siege of Beirut and the Grenada Conflict between June 14, 1982 and December 15, 1983; (5) any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until Congress or the President orders that persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal; or (6) any time during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sets forth scholarship qualifications and preferences. Provides that recipients are entitled to receive instruction in any or all departments of a public institution of higher learning without charge for tuition for a term of at least 4 consecutive years. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to administer the scholarship program. Makes changes to a provision of the University of Illinois Act providing for a similar scholarship. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by changing Section 9 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/9) (from Ch. 144, par. 30)

Sec. 9. Scholarships for children of veterans.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, for For each of the following periods of hostilities, each county shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship in the University, for the benefit of the children of persons who served in the armed forces of the United States, except that the total number of scholarships annually granted to recipients from each county may not exceed 3: any time between September 16, 1940 and the termination of World War II, any time during the national emergency between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955, any time during the Viet Nam conflict between January 1, 1961 and May 7, 1975, any time during the siege of Beirut and the Grenada Conflict between June 14, 1982 and December 15, 1983, or any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until Congress or the President orders that persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Preference for scholarships shall be given to the children of persons who are deceased or to the children of persons who have a disability. Such scholarships shall be granted to such pupils as shall, upon public examination, conducted as the board of trustees of the University may determine, be decided to have attained the greatest proficiency in the branches of learning usually taught in the secondary schools, and who shall be of good moral character, and not less than 15 years of age. Such pupils, so selected, shall be entitled to receive, without charge for tuition, instruction in any or all departments of the University for a term of at least 4 consecutive years. Such pupils shall conform, in all respects, to the rules and regulations of the University, established for the government of the pupils in attendance.

(b) Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, no scholarships may be awarded under this Section. However, a pupil awarded a scholarship under the terms of this Section as they existed before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly is entitled to that scholarship for the remainder of its term.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; 99-377, eff. 8-17-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)

Section 10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 42 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/42 new)

Sec. 42. Scholarships for children of veterans.

(a) Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, for each of the following periods of hostilities, each county shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship in a public institution of higher learning for the benefit of the children of persons who served in the armed forces of the United States, except that the total number of scholarships annually granted to recipients from each county may not exceed 3:

(1) any time between September 16, 1940 and the termination of World War II;

(2) any time during the national emergency between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955;

(3) any time during the Viet Nam conflict between January 1, 1961 and May 7, 1975;

(4) any time during the siege of Beirut and the Grenada Conflict between June 14, 1982 and December 15, 1983;

(5) any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until Congress or the President orders that persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal; or

(6) any time during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

(b) Preference for scholarships under this Section shall be given to the children of persons who are deceased as a result of military service or to the children of persons who have a service-connected disability.

(c) Scholarships under this Section shall be granted to such pupils as shall, upon public examination, conducted as the Commission may determine, be decided to have attained the greatest proficiency in the branches of learning usually taught in the secondary schools and who are of good moral character and not less than 15 years of age.

(d) Pupils selected for scholarships under this Section are entitled to receive instruction in any or all departments of a public institution of higher learning without charge for tuition for a term of at least 4 consecutive years. Scholarships awarded under this Section shall not be charged against any tuition waiver limitation established by the Board of Higher Education.

(e) Pupils awarded scholarships under this Section shall conform, in all respects, to the rules and regulations of the public institution of higher learning established for the government of the pupils in attendance.

(f) All applications for assistance under this Section must be made to the Commission on forms that the Commission shall provide. The Commission shall determine the form of application and the information required to be set forth in the application, and the Commission shall require qualified applicants to submit with their applications any supporting documents that the Commission deems necessary. Upon request, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall assist the Commission in determining the eligibility of applicants for assistance under this Section.

(g) The Commission shall administer the scholarship program established by this Section and shall make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation.

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