HB 120

Abstract

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/1.1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/38 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Creates the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force. Provides that 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. Provides who shall serve on the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least once every 2 months beginning July 1, 2019. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study and shall submit the report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on December 31, 2020. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/1.1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/38 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Requires the Task Force to assess ways the State 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. Provides that 4 members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, and VITAS officials shall be appointed to serve on the Task Force by the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate. Requires the report to be submitted by December 31, 2020 (rather than 2019) and the Task Force to dissolve and the amendatory Act's provisions to be repealed on December 31, 2021 (rather than 2020). Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions establishing the membership of the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force, provides that a total of 4 members shall be appointed, one each by the chair and the minority spokesperson of the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (instead of the chair) and one each by the chair and the minority spokesperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Senate (instead of the chair).