Bill Text: IL HB3686 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: Creates the Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall establish and administer a Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program to issue a Veterans' and Military Discount Card to eligible active duty service members and veterans in the State for use at participating merchants who agree to honor the Veterans' and Military Discount Card by providing cardholders with a discount on goods and services, or another appropriate money-saving promotion of a merchant's choice. Provides that the Department shall use DD-214 military discharge records in conjunction with photo identification such as a driver's license, State ID card, federal military or Veterans Affairs ID, or passport to issue the Veterans' and Military Discount Card to eligible veterans; and that in the case of active duty service members, a valid military ID or other official government identification that denotes active duty service, and photo ID if needed, shall be used to determine eligibility. Requires the Department to develop and implement an outreach program to ensure that active duty service members and veterans in the State are made aware of the Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program and permits the Secretary of State to also assist in promoting and disseminating information on the Program. Grants the Department of Veterans' Affairs rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 31-5)
Status: (Passed) 2015-08-17 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 99-0374 [HB3686 Detail]
Download: Illinois-2015-HB3686-Chaptered.html
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| Public Act 099-0374 | ||||
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AN ACT concerning veterans.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the | ||||
Veterans' and Military Discount Program Act.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Section 20. Rules. The Department of Veterans' Affairs | ||
shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Act.
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Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
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