Bill Text: IL SB1493 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides statements in a preamble concerning assisting Gold Star families. Provides for the Court of Claims to establish a Gold Star Families Assistance Program to access needs and provide information including a toll free helpline, regarding filing and claims pursuant to the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Defines "Gold Star Family" as the family members of an individual who was killed in the line of duty and who was employed or serving in a capacity defined in the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Provides that the Court of Claims will report annually to the Governor, both houses of the General Assembly, and Department of Veterans' Affairs information concerning the number of Line of Duty Compensation Act claims filed, approved, and pending.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)

Status: (Passed) 2009-08-17 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0541 [SB1493 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SB1493-Enrolled.html

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AN ACT concerning courts.
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is dedicated to the urgent
task of strengthening and expediting the national defense under
the emergent conditions which are threatening the peace and
security of this nation;
WHEREAS, It is the considered judgment of the General
Assembly that the citizens of Illinois who respond to their
country's call to service are deserving of every benefit and
protection; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that State government recognize
the State's citizens who have made the ultimate sacrifice to
protect the peace and security of this nation; and
WHEREAS, The Illinois Court of Claims should be equipped to
provide for and assist the survivors of fallen service members
by increasing accessibility to the Court of Claims and
providing outreach services to the community, which will serve
to educate survivors as to their benefits and protections under
State law; and
WHEREAS, By recognizing these sacrifices, the State of
Illinois encourages its citizens to participate to the fullest
extent in the national defense program and thereby heightens
the contribution of our State to the protection of our heritage

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of liberty and democracy; therefore
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Court of Claims Act is amended by adding
Section 9.5 as follows:
(705 ILCS 505/9.5 new)
Sec. 9.5. Gold Star and Fallen Heroes Families Assistance
Program.
(a) Within the Court of Claims, there is established a Gold
Star and Fallen Heroes Families Assistance Program, which is
charged with the responsibility of assessing the needs of and
providing information to Illinois Gold Star Families with
regard to claims filed pursuant to the Line of Duty
Compensation Act.
(b) As used in this Section, "Gold Star Family" means the
family members of an individual who was killed in the line of
duty and who was employed or serving in a capacity defined in
Section 2 of the Illinois Line of Duty Compensation Act.
(c) Toll-free helpline. The Gold Star and Fallen Heroes
Families Assistance Program shall include a toll-free helpline
dedicated to families seeking information about the Line of
Duty Compensation Act, including, but not limited to, the
status of claims filed pursuant to that Act. The helpline phone

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number and information about the Gold Star and Fallen Heroes
Families Assistance Program shall be provided to each person
filing a claim under the Line of Duty Compensation Act.
(d) On or before January 1 of each year, the Court of
Claims shall report to the Governor, both houses of the General
Assembly, and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs the
following information:
(1) the number of claims filed with the Court of Claims
pursuant to the Line of Duty Compensation Act ("LODCA");
(2) the number of LODCA claims approved for payment by
the Court of Claims during the preceding calendar year;
(3) the number and status of LODCA claims pending in
the Court of Claims; and
(4) other information as may be requested by the
Governor.