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






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    AN ACT concerning State government.

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


 
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    Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is 
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amended  by adding Section 20 as follows:
 
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    (20 ILCS 2805/20  new)
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    Sec. 20. Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force.  The 
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Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force is hereby created 
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within the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The Task Force shall 
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investigate the re-entry process for service members who return 
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to civilian life after being engaged in an active theater.  The 
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investigation shall include the effects of post-traumatic 
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stress disorder, homelessness,  disabilities, and other issues 
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the Task Force finds relevant to the re-entry process.  The Task 
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Force shall include the following members:
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        (a) a representative of the Department of Veterans 
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    Affairs, who shall chair the committee;

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

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

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

 


 






HB0670
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        (e) a member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
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    House Minority Leader;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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