Notes From Representative Mike Tryon

Today is a day for us all to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans who have spent a part of their lives devoting themselves to military service. The freedoms we enjoy are due to the sacrifices they have made. Whatever your political leaning, whatever fierce debates we have in Illinois and in America, one thing that unites us all is our appreciation for those who serve our country in the military.

In the General Assembly, we take Veterans issues very seriously. On this day of remembrance, I thought it would be appropriate to outline just some of the recent laws in Illinois that help our service men and women while they are away and when they return from duty.

Protecting Veteran’s Monuments/Grave Markers
HB 3273    P.A. 97-384

Makes it a crime for any scrap metal dealer, recycling facility or other business to accept metal from the grave marker of a veteran

Protecting Funeral Services of Veterans
HB 180     P.A. 97-0359
Protests, demonstrations and/or disorderly conduct may not be conducted within 300 feet of the ingress or egress of the funeral site (previous legislation limited protests to 200 ft)

Honoring Wounded and Fallen Veterans
HB 1537     P.A. 97-0258
Designates the 7th day of August of each year as “Purple Heart Day” to be observed as a day to honor and remember those wounded or killed in battle

Protecting the Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act
HB 2095     P.A. 97-0580
If an employer knowingly violates the Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act they will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor (Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act: Provides employment protection to service members called into active duty service. Service members who are honorably discharged or otherwise satisfactorily complete their service are entitled to be returned to employment, at a level to which they would have attained if not for their period of active duty)

Assisting Fallen Veterans’ Family
HB 2875     P.A. 97-0302
Any natural mother/father or spouse of a veteran killed in the line of duty (Gold Star Family members) deemed eligible by the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs is entitled to admission to any of the Illinois Veterans Homes, should vacant beds exist

Veterans and the Department of Natural Resources
HB 3274     P.A. 97-0498
Veterans returning home from service abroad are eligible for free camping, hunting

Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Public Service Announcement Fund
HB 3275     P.A. 97-0078

Creates the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Public Service Announcement Fund in the State treasury

Driver’s License Expiration Deferment for Veterans
HB 3331     P.A. 97-0079
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code by changing the driver’s license expiration deferment for those serving in the US Armed Forces outside of the state of Illinois and 120 days thereafter

Veterans-Owned Small Businesses
SB 1270     P.A. 97-0260
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Sets as a goal that 3% of State contracts be awarded to service-disabled veterans-owned small business and veterans-owned small businesses.