SB2017 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 16155 CPF 22006 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB2017

Introduced 2/26/2021, by Sen. Thomas Cullerton

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2805/38

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force shall meet at least once every 2 months beginning on or before January 1, 2022 (rather than beginning July 1, 2019). Removes language requiring the Director of Veterans' Affairs or the Director's designee to serve as chairperson of the Task Force and replaces it with language providing that Task Force members shall select from among themselves a chairperson or co-chairpersons at the initial Task Force meeting. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings to the Governor and General Assembly on or before June 1, 2023 (rather than December 31, 2020). Provides that the Task Force is dissolved, and the provisions repealed, on December 31, 2023 (rather than 2021). Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Veterans' Affairs Act is amended by changing Section 38 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/38)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on December 31, 2021)

Sec. 38. Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force.

(a) The Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force is created. The Task Force shall review and make recommendations regarding veterans' service-related ailments that are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including exploring why certain service-related ailments are not recognized and determining what may be done to have them recognized.

Additionally, the Task Force shall assess ways the State of Illinois can improve the rate at which disability compensation claims are approved by the federal government and correct the disparity between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' approval of disability compensation for Illinois veterans and that which is approved for veterans in other states.

(b) The Task Force shall have 15 members, comprised as follows:

(1) The Director of Veterans' Affairs or the Director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson.

(2) 2 Members from the House of Representatives, appointed one each by the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader.

(3) 2 Members of the Senate, appointed one each by the President of the Senate and the Senate Minority Leader.

(4) One veteran, appointed by the Director of Veterans' Affairs.

(5) One medical professional with experience working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, appointed by the Director of Veterans' Affairs.

(6) 4 representatives from a variety of veterans organizations representing geographic diversity in the State, appointed by the Director of Veterans' Affairs.

(7) 4 members, one of whom shall be appointed by the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority spokesperson of the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Senate, and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority spokesperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Senate. Those appointed to the Task Force under this paragraph shall be members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, and VITAS officials.

Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties.

(c) The Task Force shall meet at least once every 2 months beginning on or before January 1, 2022 July 1, 2019, and at other times as determined by the Task Force. Task Force members shall select from among themselves a chairperson or co-chairpersons at the initial Task Force meeting.

(d) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study. The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before June 1, 2023 by December 31, 2020. The Task Force is dissolved, and this Section is repealed, on December 31, 2023 2021.

(Source: P.A. 101-225, eff. 8-9-19.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.