Veterans Affairs Committee
Filed: 2/23/2007
 
 

 




 

 		












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AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 670




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    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 670 by replacing 
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everything after the enacting clause with the following:

 

 
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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;

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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;

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

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        (j) 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, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Secretary of the 
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United States Department of 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.".