Written by Hutchinson Staff Tuesday, 03 August 2010 14:06
Senate Bill 3818 will expand the list of eligible persons able to take leave under the Family Military Leave Act to include children and grandparents of those called to military service. Currently, the law states only the spouse or the parent of a service member called to military duty are eligible for leave. Employers are now required to offer this leave to any employee that has been with the same company for at least a year and has worked at least 1,250 hours during the preceding year. "Allowing the children and grandparents of service members to take advantage of the Family Military Leave Act ensures we are properly taking care of the brave, hardworking men and women in uniform," Hutchinson said. "When a military member is called to active duty, many arrangements have to be made by their families while they are away. This Act will increase the options available to these family members, making it a little easier when loved ones are called to serve their country." Senate Bill 3666, also recently signed by Governor Quinn, will allow disabled veterans who move into a nursing home to continue receiving the disabled veterans standard homestead exemption. To continue receiving the exemption, the home must be occupied by the veteran’s spouse or unoccupied but still owned by the veteran. "Many of our older veterans are moving into long-term care facilities while still maintaining ownership of their homes," Hutchinson said. "After moving into these facilities, some were losing their property tax homestead exemptions even though they still owned the property. This legislation will make certain our older veterans are still receiving the homestead exemption they rightly deserve."
Springfield, IL— Governor Pat Quinn recently signed several noteworthy pieces of legislation sponsored by State Senator Toi W. Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) that will improve the lives of Illinois veterans and their families.
Senator Hutchinson Menu
40th District
Years served: Appointed January 2009
Committee assignments: Agriculture and Conservation; Labor; Local Government; State Government & Veterans Affairs (Vice-Chairperson); Transportation; Committee of the Whole; Trans Subcommittee Special Issues; Subcommittee on Special Issues.
Biography: Full-time state legislator; Born May 20, 1973; Graduated University of Illinois at Urbana with a Bachelor in English; Olympia Fields Village Clerk from 2002-2006; Harvard Kennedy School of Government Executive Management Program; Women and Power, 2004; Former Chief of Staff to State Senator Debbie Halvorson; Lives in Olympia Fields with husband, Paul, and 3 children.