HB3018 Summary

• Corrects the official name of the "Department of Veterans Affairs" by changing references from "Department of Veterans" to "Department of Veterans' Affairs" throughout Illinois state statutes.

• Updates camping fee provisions to provide discounts for seniors (age 62+) and disabled residents at state parks with showers/electricity, and free camping for disabled veterans and recently returned active duty service members.

• Establishes the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund from net revenue of a special scratch-off lottery game, with funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for grants and services related to PTSD, homelessness, health insurance, disability benefits, long-term care, and veteran employment.

• Creates the Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force within the Department of Veterans' Affairs to investigate re-entry issues for returning service members, including PTSD, homelessness, disabilities, and women veterans' needs.

• Takes effect January 1, 2018.