| ||||
| Public Act 099-0374 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
AN ACT concerning veterans.
| ||||
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
| ||||
represented in the General Assembly:
| ||||
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the | ||||
Veterans' and Military Discount Program Act. | ||||
Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly | ||||
finds that though there is no way to adequately repay our | ||||
nation's military personnel for their service and sacrifice, we | ||||
can demonstrate our gratitude by forging a collaborative effort | ||||
between businesses and government that will connect veterans | ||||
and active duty service members with merchants who choose to | ||||
honor their military service through special discounts and | ||||
promotions. | ||||
The Veterans' and Military Discount Program, created under | ||||
this Act, will enable veterans (those honorably discharged and | ||||
other veterans generally discharged for reasons other than | ||||
discipline, misconduct, resignation in lieu of misconduct | ||||
charges, unfitness for duty, voluntary resignation, or court | ||||
martial) and military personnel currently serving our country | ||||
to receive a discount on goods and services from participating | ||||
merchants, or another appropriate money-saving promotion of a | ||||
merchant's choice. | ||||
The Veterans' and Military Discount Program will be | ||||
mutually beneficial, helping active duty service members and | ||
veterans in the State save money with discounts on goods and | ||
services, and helping business owners to enjoy increased | ||
traffic and sales in their stores. | ||
Section 10. Veterans' and Military Discount Program. The | ||
Department of Veterans' Affairs shall establish and administer | ||
a Veterans' and Military Discount Program that enables veterans | ||
and active duty military personnel to use the following photo | ||
identification at participating merchants to receive a | ||
discount on goods and services or to receive another | ||
appropriate money-saving promotion of a merchant's choice: | ||
(1) veterans who have a valid driver's license or | ||
Illinois Identification Card issued pursuant to subsection | ||
(e) of Section 6-106 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or | ||
subsection (c-5) of Section 4 of the Illinois | ||
Identification Card Act; and | ||
(2) active duty military personnel who have a valid | ||
Common Access Card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense | ||
indicating the cardholder's active duty status. | ||
Section 15. Outreach program. The Department shall develop | ||
and implement an outreach program, subject to resources, to | ||
ensure that active duty service members, veterans, and | ||
potential merchant-participants in the State are made aware of | ||
the Veterans' and Military Discount Program. However, the | ||
Department shall not be required to conduct such outreach in a | ||
county offering a similar discount program. The Secretary of | ||
State may also assist in promoting and disseminating | ||
information on the Veterans' and Military
Discount Program. | ||
Section 20. Rules. The Department of Veterans' Affairs | ||
shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.
| ||
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
| ||