IL HB2656

Department of Veterans Affairs must establish an educational success program collaborating with higher education institutions to address environmental factors affecting veterans' learning, including expanded online access, specialized seating, and grouping veterans together in classes.

Department shall provide family preparation courses on deployment emotional cycles to help families adjust to returning veterans and direct them to available assistance resources prior to discharge.

Department must develop a transition program for returning veterans in Illinois by coordinating with the U.S. Department of Defense, including veteran-to-veteran connections and information on local veteran service organizations.

Department shall establish a system allowing veterans to file federal DD Form 214 discharge papers immediately upon leaving military service through coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Department must create an employer training program with state chambers of commerce to educate companies on veteran employee needs and identify veteran-friendly employers, plus establish a statewide peer-to-peer training program informing veterans of available local, state, and federal services.