SB1368

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MULTI-COUNTY VET ASSISTANCE

What this bill does

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Expands the Act to allow for the formation of multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions. Provides that veteran service organizations located in 2 or more adjacent counties having a population of 60,000 or less may enter into an agreement to come together and jointly form a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to serve the adjacent counties in accordance with the Act. Provides that a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission may also be formed under an agreement between an existing county Veterans Assistance Commission and a veteran service organization located in an adjacent county that is without a veterans assistance commission and has a population of 60,000 or less. Requires an agreement to form and maintain a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to set forth: (i) the distribution of funding with respect to each member county; (ii) the location of the Commission's office; (iii) the type of services provided; (iv) the superintendent selection or appointment process; (v) Commission rules and policies; and (vi) the composition of delegates and alternates on the Commission. Provides that multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions shall have the same powers and duties under the Act as Veterans Assistance Commissions that serve one county. Makes corresponding changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act. Effective immediately.

Sponsor: Jil Tracy Chamber: Senate Introduced: 2025-01-29
Stuck
P(Advance)
48.6%
Chance it ever reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
8.4%
Chance it becomes law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Forecast
6.2%
Low P(law) at intro — sponsor & topic only; no progress or delay.
Confidence: 51%

Calculating prediction drivers...

Pipeline Progress

Current stage: Passed Both Houses · Last action 281 days ago

How does a bill become law in Illinois?
  1. Introduction of Bill

    A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.

  2. Committee Work — Hearings

    The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.

  3. Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report

    The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.

  4. Floor Debate

    The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.

  5. Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber

    If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.

  6. Gubernatorial Action

    The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.

Sponsor Context

Public Engagement

11 witness slips filed 10 proponents / 1 opponents 10 organizations

Witness slips

11 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.

Name Organization Representing Position Hearing committee Hearing date
Austin James Mink Self Self Proponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29
Jennifer Solum Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County Proponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29
John Lawson Belleville VFW Post 1739 District 14, VFW Illinois (St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph, Clinton, Washington & Perry Counties) Proponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29
John Lawson Veterans Assistance Commission of St. Clair County Illinois Association of Veterans Assistance Commissions (IACVAC) Proponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29
Michael J Korman NoVeteranAlone, Inc. Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions Proponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29
Michael Luebbers Illinois Freedom Civic Coalition dba Illinois Freedom Alliance On behalf of IFCC dba IFA Proponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29
Michael Peck American Legion, Department of Illinois American legion, Department of Illinois Proponent Veterans Affairs 2025-03-19
Toni Erwin Lil Red Brady Braids LLC Self Proponent Veterans Affairs 2025-03-19
David Schwartz Self Self Proponent Veterans Affairs 2025-03-05
Matthew Slade Myself Myself Proponent Veterans Affairs 2025-03-05
Daniel Benedict Logan County VAC Logan County VAC Opponent Veterans' Affairs 2025-04-29

Roll-call votes

Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.

Date Chamber Type Description Yea Nay Present NV Outcome Margin Deciding voters
H Committee Veterans' Affairs 15 0 0 2 Passed 15
2025-05-22 H Floor Third Reading 113 0 0 5 Passed 113
S Committee Veterans Affairs 8 0 0 0 Passed 8
S Floor Third Reading 54 0 0 5 Passed 54

Action History

51 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-07-02 — Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred toAssignments. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.

2025-01-29 Introduction & Filing
Filed with Secretary bySen. Jil Tracy Rule 2-7(b)
Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-01-29 Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-01-29 Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-02-04 Committee Assignment
Assigned toVeterans Affairs Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-02-06 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Terri Bryant Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-02-07 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Jason Plummer Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator takes on the chief co-sponsor role, a stronger commitment than regular co-sponsorship.
2025-03-06 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Craig Wilcox Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator takes on the chief co-sponsor role, a stronger commitment than regular co-sponsorship.
2025-03-13 Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. Jil Tracy
[Amendment] Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-03-13 Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-18 Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toVeterans Affairs
[Amendment] Senate Assignments Committee forwards the bill to a substantive committee.
2025-03-19 Amendment Actions Positive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-03-19 Committee Action Positive
Do Pass as AmendedVeterans Affairs; 008-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-03-19 Floor Process Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-04-01 Floor Process Positive
Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage. Floor amendments can be offered here.
2025-04-01 Floor Process Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 2, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-03 Floor Vote Positive
Third Reading - Passed;054-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-04-03 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-03 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Andrew S. Chesney Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-03 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Steve McClure Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-04 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Mike Simmons Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-04 Cross-Chamber Positive
Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate bill arrives in the House after passing the Senate.
2025-04-04 Cross-Chamber Positive
Chief House SponsorRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House sponsor assigned for a Senate bill — bill is being actively managed in the second chamber.
2025-04-07 Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-07 Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-14 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Li Arellano, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-17 Committee Assignment
Assigned toVeterans' Affairs Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-04-29 Committee Action Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateVeterans' Affairs Committee; 015-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b)
Committee recommends passage and places it on the Short Debate calendar (limited floor discussion time). Strong positive signal — committee believes bill has broad support.
2025-04-30 Floor Process Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-05-07 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Kyle Moore Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added in the second chamber.
2025-05-15 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-05-15 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-05-16 Floor Process Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-05-16 Floor Process
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill was ready for Second Reading but was paused/held by the sponsor. Usually indicates the sponsor is still negotiating amendments or gathering votes. NOT a negative signal — the sponsor controls the pace.
2025-05-20 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toVeterans' Affairs Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-05-20 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedVeterans' Affairs Committee; 015-000-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-05-22 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Kevin Schmidt Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added in the second chamber.
2025-05-22 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted by Voice Vote
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-05-22 Floor Process Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-22 Floor Vote Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed113-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-05-22 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Dan Swanson Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-22 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Wayne A. Rosenthal Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-22 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Brandun Schweizer Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-22 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Amy Briel Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-22 Other
Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Changed toRep. Sue Scherer
Uncategorized action.
2025-05-22 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Amy Briel Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added in the second chamber.
2025-05-22 Concurrence
Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII
Bill placed on Secretary's Desk awaiting Senate concurrence vote on House amendments.
2025-05-22 Concurrence Mild +
Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 26, 2025 Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII
Concurrence vote scheduled on the calendar.
2025-05-27 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with SecretarySen. Jil Tracy
[Amendment] Motion filed to agree with the other chamber's amendments.
2025-05-27 Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred toAssignments
[Amendment] Motion filed to agree with the other chamber's amendments.
2025-06-30 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Mike Porfirio Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-07-02 Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −
Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred toAssignments Rule 3-9(b)
Senate procedural re-referral to Assignments — 31 consecutive days without session.

All actions (table)

Date Chamber Action Category Signal
2025-01-29 Senate Filed with Secretary bySen. Jil Tracy Rule 2-7(b) Introduction & Filing
2025-01-29 Senate First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 Introduction & Filing
2025-01-29 Senate Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) Committee Assignment
2025-02-04 Senate Assigned toVeterans Affairs Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) Committee Assignment
2025-02-06 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Terri Bryant Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-02-07 Senate Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Jason Plummer Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-03-06 Senate Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Craig Wilcox Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-03-13 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. Jil Tracy Amendment Actions
2025-03-13 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments Amendment Actions
2025-03-18 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toVeterans Affairs Amendment Actions
2025-03-19 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted Amendment Actions Positive
2025-03-19 Senate Do Pass as AmendedVeterans Affairs; 008-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) Committee Action Positive
2025-03-19 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) Floor Process Positive
2025-04-01 Senate Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) Floor Process Positive
2025-04-01 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 2, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) Floor Process Positive
2025-04-03 Senate Third Reading - Passed;054-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) Floor Vote Positive
2025-04-03 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-03 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Andrew S. Chesney Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-03 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Steve McClure Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-04 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Mike Simmons Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-04 House Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) Cross-Chamber Positive
2025-04-04 House Chief House SponsorRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) Cross-Chamber Positive
2025-04-07 House First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 Introduction & Filing
2025-04-07 House Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) Committee Assignment
2025-04-14 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Li Arellano, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-17 House Assigned toVeterans' Affairs Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) Committee Assignment
2025-04-29 House Do Pass / Short DebateVeterans' Affairs Committee; 015-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) Committee Action Positive
2025-04-30 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 Floor Process Positive
2025-05-07 House Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Kyle Moore Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-15 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit Amendment Actions
2025-05-15 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee Amendment Actions
2025-05-16 House Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) Floor Process Positive
2025-05-16 House Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 Floor Process
2025-05-20 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toVeterans' Affairs Committee Amendment Actions
2025-05-20 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedVeterans' Affairs Committee; 015-000-000 Amendment Actions
2025-05-22 House Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Kevin Schmidt Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-22 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted by Voice Vote Amendment Actions
2025-05-22 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) Floor Process Positive
2025-05-22 House Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed113-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 Floor Vote Positive
2025-05-22 House Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Dan Swanson Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-22 House Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Wayne A. Rosenthal Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-22 House Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Brandun Schweizer Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-22 House Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Amy Briel Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-22 House Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Changed toRep. Sue Scherer Other
2025-05-22 House Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Amy Briel Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-22 Senate Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII Concurrence
2025-05-22 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 26, 2025 Senate Rule 8-1/Article VIII; House Rule 72/Article VIII Concurrence Mild +
2025-05-27 Senate House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with SecretarySen. Jil Tracy Amendment Actions
2025-05-27 Senate House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred toAssignments Amendment Actions
2025-06-30 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Mike Porfirio Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-07-02 Senate Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred toAssignments Rule 3-9(b) Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −