HB2547
View on ILGAVETERANS AFFAIRS
What this bill does
Amends various Acts by replacing all references to the "Department of Veterans' Affairs" with "Department of Veterans Affairs". Effective immediately.
PASSED INTO LAW
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Signed into Law · Last action 421 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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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.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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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.
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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
Dan Swanson
Moderate Influence (#52)
Bills sponsored by Dan Swanson advance 9% more often than the chamber average.
Campaign finance
This is SBE campaign receipts to the people on this bill, not Moneyball and not earmarked to the bill.
Money is campaign receipts to matched candidate committees, not earmarked to this bill. Window 2025-01-01 – 2026-09-13.
$316,945.89
Across sponsors / voters
3
Members with trails
13
Overlapping donors
Sponsor and voter funding
| Member | Role | Receipts | Total received | Top donors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Swanson | Chief sponsor | 197 | $118,572.71 | Downstate Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC ($7,500.00); I.P.A.C.E.Illinois Political Action Committee for Education ($7,500.00); Marion Calmer ($5,000.00) |
| Stephanie A. Kifowit | Sponsor | 82 | $132,098.18 | Fraternal Order of Police ($37,500.00); I.P.A.C.E. ($10,000.00); Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor Management PAC ($9,000.00) |
| Li Arellano, Jr. | Sponsor | 88 | $66,275.00 | Health Care Council of Illinois Political Action Committee ($5,000.00); Marquis Energy ($5,000.00); Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation ($3,500.00) |
Overlapping donors
Donors who gave to more than one sponsor or voter on this bill. Still not earmarked to the bill.
| Donor | Members | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Downstate Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC | Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $10,000.00 |
| Sports Betting Alliance | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $10,000.00 |
| Illinois Hospital Association PAC | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Dan Swanson | $3,000.00 |
| Illinois State Lodge | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Dan Swanson | $2,750.00 |
| Community BancPac | Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $2,500.00 |
| CAR of Illinois | Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $2,300.00 |
| BNSF Railway Company | Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $2,000.00 |
| Illinois State Medical Society Political Action Committee | Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $2,000.00 |
| Illinois State Medical Society PAC | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Dan Swanson | $2,000.00 |
| Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Li Arellano, Jr. | $1,500.00 |
| Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC | Dan Swanson, Li Arellano, Jr. | $1,000.00 |
| SUAAction | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Dan Swanson | $750.00 |
| Peoples Energy PAC | Stephanie A. Kifowit, Dan Swanson | $500.00 |
Top donors across these members
| Donor | Occupation | Employer | Receipts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraternal Order of Police | — | — | 4 | $37,500.00 |
| Downstate Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC | — | — | 3 | $10,000.00 |
| Sports Betting Alliance | — | — | 3 | $10,000.00 |
| I.P.A.C.E. | — | — | 1 | $10,000.00 |
| Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor Management PAC | — | — | 4 | $9,000.00 |
| I.P.A.C.E.Illinois Political Action Committee for Education | — | — | 1 | $7,500.00 |
| Marion Calmer | Farmer/Business Owner | Self-employed | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Illinois Trial Lawyers Association PAC | — | — | 2 | $5,000.00 |
| Local 134 PAC Fund | — | — | 3 | $5,000.00 |
| Marquis Energy | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Health Care Council of Illinois Political Action Committee | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Ameren | — | — | 4 | $4,500.00 |
| LaHood for Congress | — | — | 2 | $4,000.00 |
| Associated Beer Distributors of IL - PAC | — | — | 3 | $3,500.00 |
| Michael Thoms | Mayor | City of Rock Island | 3 | $3,500.00 |
| Realtor Political Action Committee | — | — | 3 | $3,500.00 |
| Illinois Realtors Political Action Committee | — | — | 2 | $3,500.00 |
| IBEW Illinois PAC | — | — | 2 | $3,500.00 |
| Associated Fire Fighters of IL Pac Fund | — | — | 2 | $3,500.00 |
| Liuna Chicago Laborers' District Council PAC | — | — | 2 | $3,500.00 |
| Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation | — | — | 2 | $3,500.00 |
| Associated Firefighters of IL PAC Fund | — | — | 4 | $3,050.00 |
| Illinois Hospital Association PAC | — | — | 3 | $3,000.00 |
| AFSCME Illinois Council No. 31 PAC | — | — | 1 | $3,000.00 |
| 3M Political Action Committee | — | — | 1 | $3,000.00 |
Witness slips
3 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Luebbers | Illinois Freedom Civic Coalition dba Illinois Freedom Alliance | On behalf of IFCC dba IFA | Proponent | Veterans Affairs | 2025-05-07 |
| Nancy O'Connell | Self | SELF | Proponent | Veterans' Affairs | 2025-03-11 |
| Sara Augustinas | IDVA | Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs | Proponent | Veterans' Affairs | 2025-03-11 |
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 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 16 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 110 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Passed | 110 | — | |
| 2025-05-07 | S | Committee | Veterans Affairs | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 7 | — |
| 2025-05-22 | S | Floor | May 22, 2025 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 58 | — |
Action History
33 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-08-15 — Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0234. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-04
Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-04
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.
2025-02-04
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.
2025-03-04
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.
2025-03-11
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateVeterans' Affairs Committee; 016-000-000 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.
2025-03-12
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.
2025-03-20
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-20
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.
2025-03-25
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedRules Committee; 005-000-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-26
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.
2025-03-26
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.
2025-04-01
Cross-Chamber
Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Dan Swanson Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Chief sponsor changed — may indicate leadership taking ownership or a strategic handoff.
2025-04-01
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Chief co-sponsor added.
2025-04-10
Amendment Actions
Positive
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-04-10
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.
2025-04-10
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed110-000-000 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.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-14
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 29, 2025 Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-30
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Li Arellano, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-30
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.
2025-04-30
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.
2025-04-30
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.
2025-05-07
Committee Action
Positive
Do PassVeterans Affairs; 007-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-05-07
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 8, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-05-08
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.
2025-05-08
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 13, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-20
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-22
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Passed;058-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-05-22
Concurrence
Positive
Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4
Bill PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS. Major milestone — bill goes to the Governor next.
2025-06-20
Governor Action
Positive
Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
Bill transmitted to the Governor for signature. Strong positive — bill has passed both chambers.
2025-08-15
Governor Action
Positive
Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. Bill is now law (pending effective date).
2025-08-15
Enacted Into Law
Law
Effective Date August 15, 2025 Article IX
Law's effective date announced. Most IL laws take effect January 1 of the next year unless otherwise specified.
2025-08-15
Enacted Into Law
Law
Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0234 Article IX
Bill signed into law — assigned a Public Act number (e.g., PA 104-0032).
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-04 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-04 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-04 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-04 | House | Assigned toVeterans' Affairs Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-11 | House | Do Pass / Short DebateVeterans' Affairs Committee; 016-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-03-12 | 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 |
| 2025-03-20 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-20 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-25 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedRules Committee; 005-000-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-26 | 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 |
| 2025-03-26 | 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 | — |
| 2025-04-01 | House | Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Dan Swanson Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | — |
| 2025-04-01 | House | Added Chief Co-SponsorRep. Stephanie A. Kifowit Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-10 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed110-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 29, 2025 Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Li Arellano, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Assigned toVeterans Affairs Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-05-07 | Senate | Do PassVeterans Affairs; 007-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-05-07 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 8, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-08 | Senate | Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-08 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 13, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-20 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-22 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed;058-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-05-22 | House | Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4 | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-06-20 | House | Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Effective Date August 15, 2025 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |
| 2025-08-15 | House | Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0234 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |