This is the last of thirteen articles summarizing the laws that took effect on New Year’s Day.
Thanks to State Senator Karen McConnaughay for providing the information.
Veterans and Military Affairs
Illinois Code of Military Justice Update (SB 2861/PA 99-0796): Creates an appeal process for ICMJ court martials, by adopting procedures from the Model State Code of Military Justice which is modeled after the UCMJ.
Military Family Care Plan (HB 4327/PA 99-0599): Allows a parent who is on active military duty to appoint a short term guardian for their child and allows that guardianship to last up to thirty (30) days after the end of the parent’s active duty.
Heroes Way Designation Program (HB 4344/PA 99-0802): Creates the Heroes Way Designation Program Act and allows the family of Veteran’s who were killed in action while on active duty to apply for a designation that would allow the placement of an honorary sign on roadways under the jurisdiction of IDOT.
DCFS Abuse Report of a Service Member (HB 4425/PA 99-0638): Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to determine the military status of each parent or guardian who is named as the alleged perpetrator in a child abuse or neglect report. Sets forth several guidelines.
Student Musicians at Military Funerals (HB 4432/PA 99-0804): Permits a child in grades 6 through 12 to be excused from a public school when absent from class for the purpose of playing “Taps” at a military funeral in Illinois for a deceased veteran.
Military License Plates Transfer (HB 4433/PA 99-0805): Allows the surviving spouse of a deceased military service member to retain the special license plates if he/she is a resident of Illinois and if the transfer takes place within 180 days of the death of the service member.
Veteran License Plate Reclassification (HB 5402/PA 99-0809): States that individuals who qualify for the military specialty plates may reclassify their standard plate registration without paying replacement fees or the registration sticker cost.
National Guard Discrimination (HB 5756/PA 99-0557): Provides that there shall be no unlawful discrimination in the Illinois National Guard and brings the Guard’s policies in-line with federal standards and guidelines.
Uranium Testing (HB 6123/PA 99-0719): Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide non-monetary assistance to any resident of Illinois who served in active duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, or Qatar with any component of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Illinois National Guard, who requests a pre-deployment or post-deployment test for depleted uranium in accessing federal resources for pre-deployment and post-deployment testing for depleted uranium.