Gov. Pat Quinn Sunday signed three bills to provide more protections for Illinois’ servicemembers and help injured veterans get the services they need.
These bills prevent Illinois utilities from cutting off heat to veterans and servicemembers during the winter months; extend the driver’s license renewal time for servicemembers returning from overseas or out-of-state; and create a fund to support public service announcements to increase awareness of veterans’ programs, a release from the governor’s office said.
The driver’s license bill extends the extends the expiration of a servicemember’s driver’s license to 120 days upon their return to Illinois. Current law only allows for a 90 day deferral.
House Bill 3275 creates a fund to support public service announcements to inform Illinois’ veterans and servicemembers of the benefits and services available for treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. The fund will be administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, which will collect private gifts, donations and charitable contributions to support the fund. The three new laws take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
Full Article: Quinn signs bills to increase protections for vets, servicemembers – Chicago Sun-Times.