94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB3201

 

Introduced 11/16/2006, by Sen. Martin A. Sandoval - Larry K. Bomke - Kimberly A. Lightford

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 2805/20 new

    Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Subject to appropriations, requires the Department to pay veterans service organizations for services provided by veterans service officers in processing claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses or other beneficiaries residing in Illinois. Requires payment at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or other beneficiaries. Sets forth criteria that a veterans service organization must meet.


LRB094 21967 HLH 60463 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB3201 LRB094 21967 HLH 60463 b

1     AN ACT in relation to veterans.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is
5 amended by adding Section 20 as follows:
 
6     (20 ILCS 2805/20 new)
7     Sec. 20. Payments to veterans service organizations.
8     (a) In this Section:
9     "Veterans service officer" means an individual employed by
10 a veterans service organization and accredited by the United
11 States Department of Veterans Affairs to process claims and
12 other benefits for veterans and their spouses and
13 beneficiaries.
14     "Veterans service organization" means an organization that
15 meets all of the following criteria:
16         (1) It is formed by and for United States military
17     veterans.
18         (2) It is chartered by the United States Congress and
19     incorporated in the State of Illinois.
20         (3) It maintained a state headquarters office in
21     Illinois for the 10-year period immediately preceding July
22     1, 2006.
23         (4) It maintains at least one office in this State
24     staffed by a veterans service officer.
25         (5) It is capable of preparing a power of attorney for
26     a veteran and processing claims for veterans services.
27         (6) It is not funded by the State of Illinois or by any
28     county in this State.
29     "Veterans services" means the processing of the following
30 claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses and
31 beneficiaries:
32         (1) Disability compensation benefits.

 

 

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1         (2) Disability pension benefits.
2         (3) Dependents' indemnity compensation.
3         (4) Widow's death pension.
4         (5) Burial benefits.
5         (6) Confirmed and continued claims.
6         (7) Vocational rehabilitation and education.
7         (8) Waivers of indebtedness.
8         (9) Miscellaneous.
9     (b) Subject to appropriations, the Department shall pay a
10 veterans service organization for veterans services rendered
11 on behalf of veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries by a
12 veterans service officer employed by the organization. The
13 payment shall be computed at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar
14 of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or
15 beneficiaries residing in Illinois as a result of the efforts
16 of the veterans service officer. There shall be no payment
17 under this Section for the value of health care received in a
18 health care facility under the jurisdiction of the United
19 States Veterans Administration.
20     (c) To be eligible for a payment under this Section, a
21 veterans service organization must document the amount of
22 moneys obtained for veterans and their spouses and
23 beneficiaries in the form and manner required by the
24 Department. The documentation must include the submission to
25 the Department of a copy of the organization's report or
26 reports to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
27 stating the amount of moneys obtained by the organization for
28 veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries in the State
29 fiscal year for which payment under this Section is requested.
30 The organization must submit the copy of the report or reports
31 to the Department no later than July 31 following the end of
32 the State fiscal year for which payment is requested.
33     (d) The Department shall make the payment under this
34 Section to a veterans service organization in a single annual
35 payment for each State fiscal year, beginning with the State
36 fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2007. The Department must

 

 

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1 make the payment for a State fiscal year on or before December
2 31 of the succeeding State fiscal year.
3     (e) A veterans service organization shall use moneys
4 received under this Section only for the purpose of paying the
5 salary and expenses of one or more veterans service officers
6 and the organization's related expenses incurred in employing
7 the officer or officers for the processing of claims and other
8 benefits for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries.