HB 2369

Abstract

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Allows specified actions to be performed by the designee of the Director of Veterans' Affairs. Provides that the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation shall (currently, may) be assisted in carrying out its functions by Department of Veterans' Affairs personnel, including legal professionals. Requires the Foundation's audit to be included in the Department's audit and to be prepared by the Department. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Deletes the term "no-wrong-door" in provisions regarding the system of support for service members, veterans, and their families. Removes provisions requiring the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation (Foundation) to utilize working groups when convening military and veteran support organizations and when providing policy recommendations that benefit service members, veterans, and their families. Removes provisions requiring the Foundation to facilitate the transfer of information and knowledge among Illinois Joining Forces member organizations. Makes changes to the definition of "veterans service organization". Provides that the Foundation may also include up to 18 additional voting members of the Board of Directors: 9 members to be nominated and approved by the Board of Directors according to the Foundation's bylaws, and 9 members to be nominated by the Director of Veterans' Affairs or the Director of Military Affairs. Provides that, to ensure parity, no additional nominees may be considered by the Board of Directors unless a like appointment is made by the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the Department of Military Affairs, and vice versa. Provides that, in consultation with the Foundation's Board of Directors, the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the Department of Military Affairs may adopt other rules deemed necessary to govern Foundation procedures (rather than the Department of Veterans' Affairs may adopt rules in consultation with the Department of Military Affairs). Permits the Foundation to receive administrative support including, but not limited to, legal professionals or additionally agreed upon support as needed or requested, from either the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the Department of Military Affairs. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/37 Adds reference to: 55 ILCS 5/5-2006 from Ch. 34, par. 5-2006 330 ILCS 45/1 from Ch. 23, par. 3081 330 ILCS 45/2 from Ch. 23, par. 3082 330 ILCS 45/8 from Ch. 23, par. 3088 330 ILCS 45/9 from Ch. 23, par. 3089 330 ILCS 45/9.1 new 330 ILCS 45/9.2 new 330 ILCS 45/10 from Ch. 23, par. 3090 330 ILCS 45/12 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Requires the commander, quartermaster, or commandant of any veteran service organization or the superintendent of any county Veterans Assistance Commission to annually report to the president or chairperson of the county board certain transactions of the veteran service organization or Veterans Assistance Commission. Provides that delegates and alternates selected and duly appointed to sit on a county's Veterans Assistance Commission shall begin their term of office with full voting rights and that once selected, delegates and alternates are bound by the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Provides that all undertakings of, or actions taken by, the Veterans Assistance Commission shall require a vote from a majority of the full commission membership. Provides that no superintendent or any other employee of the Veterans Assistance Commission may retain the position of delegate or alternate or any voting rights while employed by the Veterans Assistance Commission. Provides that the superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission is an at-will employee. Contains provisions concerning the annual evaluations of the superintendent; voting requirements to remove a superintendent; and other matters. Requires each Veterans Assistance Commission to establish and maintain bylaws, perform an annual audit, and other matters. Permits the Attorney General to conduct investigations and commence civil actions to enforce the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning recovery amounts and civil penalties. Contains provisions concerning superintendent vacancies; and county benefits and services for Veterans Assistance Commission employees. Limits home rule powers. Makes other changes. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a portion of the proceeds of any property tax levied by a county shall be used for the authorized reimbursement of any officer or employee of the Veterans Assistance Commission. Effective immediately.