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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, On June 12, 2010, Governor Pat Quinn signed the 
3Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act into law; the 
4Act allows counties in Illinois to create a Veterans and 
5Servicemembers Court Program or Veterans Treatment Courts for 
6military veterans charged with non-violent crimes; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Currently, Cook, DuPage, Lake, Madison, Peoria, 
8Will, Winnebago, and several other counties have Veterans 
9Treatment Courts to assist veterans with substance abuse and 
10other related problems; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Many returning veterans suffer from 
12Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, 
13substance abuse, and other service-related disabilities; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Veterans Treatment Courts are used as an 
15alternative venue to the regular criminal justice system for 
16non-violent criminal offenses; the courts connect veterans 
17with specialized treatment and counseling programs to assist 
18them with transitioning to life after their military service; 
19and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Veterans Treatment Courts require regular court 
21appearances in addition to mandatory attendance at treatment 
 
 
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1sessions for substance abuse as well as random testing for 
2substance use; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Upon successful completion of the program, the 
4charges against the veteran may be dismissed; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Veterans Treatment Courts are in a unique position 
6to link veterans with additional services and resources 
7available to them; therefore, be it
  
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
9NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
10SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we encourage the creation of 
11Veterans and Servicemembers Treatment Courts in all counties in 
12the State of Illinois; and be it further
  
 
13    RESOLVED, That we urge counties that currently have 
14successful programs to work with other counties to help create 
15successful programs and provide assistance in implementation 
16to better serve our veterans in every county; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
18presented to the County Board Chair or President of all 102 
19Illinois counties.