Public Act 099-0374
 
HB3686 EnrolledLRB099 03897 KTG 23913 b

    AN ACT concerning veterans.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Veterans' and Military Discount Program Act.
 
    Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly
finds that though there is no way to adequately repay our
nation's military personnel for their service and sacrifice, we
can demonstrate our gratitude by forging a collaborative effort
between businesses and government that will connect veterans
and active duty service members with merchants who choose to
honor their military service through special discounts and
promotions.
    The Veterans' and Military Discount Program, created under
this Act, will enable veterans (those honorably discharged and
other veterans generally discharged for reasons other than
discipline, misconduct, resignation in lieu of misconduct
charges, unfitness for duty, voluntary resignation, or court
martial) and military personnel currently serving our country
to receive a discount on goods and services from participating
merchants, or another appropriate money-saving promotion of a
merchant's choice.
    The Veterans' and Military Discount Program will be
mutually beneficial, helping active duty service members and
veterans in the State save money with discounts on goods and
services, and helping business owners to enjoy increased
traffic and sales in their stores.
 
    Section 10. Veterans' and Military Discount Program. The
Department of Veterans' Affairs shall establish and administer
a Veterans' and Military Discount Program that enables veterans
and active duty military personnel to use the following photo
identification at participating merchants to receive a
discount on goods and services or to receive another
appropriate money-saving promotion of a merchant's choice:
        (1) veterans who have a valid driver's license or
    Illinois Identification Card issued pursuant to subsection
    (e) of Section 6-106 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or
    subsection (c-5) of Section 4 of the Illinois
    Identification Card Act; and
        (2) active duty military personnel who have a valid
    Common Access Card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense
    indicating the cardholder's active duty status.
 
    Section 15. Outreach program. The Department shall develop
and implement an outreach program, subject to resources, to
ensure that active duty service members, veterans, and
potential merchant-participants in the State are made aware of
the Veterans' and Military Discount Program. However, the
Department shall not be required to conduct such outreach in a
county offering a similar discount program. The Secretary of
State may also assist in promoting and disseminating
information on the Veterans' and Military Discount Program.
 
    Section 20. Rules. The Department of Veterans' Affairs
shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.