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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.