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Veterans

Illinois Senate Democrats hold our Veterans in the highest regard and work tirelessly to ensure their sacrifices for freedom are honored and recognized.

veterans

jacobs-75x75SPRINGFIELD, IL –Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) passed a resolution through the Senate today that urges cable companies to look into creating a veterans cable access channel. This channel would be used to provide our veterans with information regarding social, material and psychological support in their local communities.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL Legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Jacobs (DMoline) that will reduce the price of hunting and fishing licenses has been signed into law by Governor Quinn.

"This law will give a break to our veterans who have served our state and country overseas," stated Senator Jacobs, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee.

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altSPRINGFIELD, IL Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) attended a Freedom Salute this week to welcome back soldiers who have deployed to keep the peace between Egypt and Israel.

"A Freedom Salute is an honor bestowed by the Illinois National Guard to its soldiers upon their return from active duty," stated Senator Jacobs. "I am honored to have been a part of this celebration of our brave soldiers."

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altSPRINGFIELD, IL Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) is designed to help veterans’ who are in long-term care facilities have an easier time voting in elections.

Senate Bill 98 would require election authorities to expand their in-person absentee voting operations at federally operated veterans’ homes, hospitals and other long-term care facilities. The bill applies to veterans’ hospitals and facilities in Chicago, Danville, Hines, Marion and North Chicago.

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altState Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) announced Tuesday that Governor Quinn has signed House Bill 1260, Senator Noland’s bill to protect active service members and veterans from utility shut-offs during the winter months.

“As a veteran, I know catching up on obligations after returning from active duty can be financially challenging,” Noland said. “Veterans and their families deserve support in keeping their homes warm while they rebound from financial difficulties related to recent deployment or delays in finding gainful employment after returning home.”

House Bill 1260 would prevent an electric or gas public utility from disconnecting service for nonpayment to a customer who has notified the utility he or she is a service member or veteran. It specifies the utility would not be permitted to stop service if gas or electric is the primary power source of heating the home during winter months.

Under previous law, the prohibition for shutting off service was for military personnel returning from active duty. Now if a residential customer notifies the utility they are a service member or veteran they would not have their electric or gas power disconnected for non-payment of their utility bill from December 1 through March 31.

“As the US continues to deploy a large number of troops abroad, we must continue to address home front issues that challenge our service members and their families locally,” Noland said. “It is important here during the warm month of July to remember that cold weather will one day return.  I hope this new law will lessen one burden on service members in Illinois.”

The Governor signed House Bill 1260, now Public Act 097-0077, on July 3.

 

forby-013-062811-600x400SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) today thanked local veterans for their service to our nation and spoke about the importance of ensuring their care during the unveiling of a "sensory garden" at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Anna. The garden, which is designed to stimulate the senses of veterans who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, is the first of its kind for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

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State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) passed three bills through the Illinois Senate this week that focus on helping vulnerable citizens of Illinois, including veterans, children with disabilities, and recipients of mental health and substance abuse services.

House Bill 1260 would prevent an electric or gas public utility from disconnecting service for nonpayment to a customer who has notified the utility he or she is a service member or veteran. It specifies the utility would not be permitted to stop service if gas or electric is the primary power source of heating the home during winter months.

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CLICK TO ENLARGESPRINGFIELD, IL Three percent of all state contracts will to go to veteran-owned and service disabled veteran owned businesses under legislation sponsored by State Senator Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) that has passed the Illinois Senate.

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Springfield, Illinois State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a resolution that will honor and recognize the sacrifice disabled Peace Officers have made protecting our communities.

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Springfield, Illinois State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation that will allow returning veterans who have been honorably discharged and awarded an Afghan or Iraqi campaign medal to use their service time in place of some educational requirements when applying for the Illinois State Police (ISP).

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