IL HR0722

Illinois House Resolution urging U.S. Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow medically retired service members to receive both full retirement pay and VA disability benefits concurrently

Currently, veterans with less than 20 years of service and disability ratings below 50% have their retirement pay reduced dollar-for-dollar by their disability compensation

Approximately 50,000 retired service members are ineligible for concurrent benefits under current rules, with an average monthly offset of approximately $1,900 as of 2022

Named after Major Richard Star, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who developed lung cancer from burn pit exposure and was forced to medically retire before completing 20 years of service; he passed away in 2021

Resolution directs copies be sent to the President, congressional leadership, and all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation