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HB4729

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VET DEPENDENT TUITION WAIVER

What this bill does

Creates the Veterans' Dependents and Spouses College Tuition Waiver Act. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education if the applicant is a spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran, is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the public institution of higher education, and meets residency and enrollment requirements established by rule. Provides that the waiver applies only to tuition and mandatory fees and does not include room, board, books, supplies, or other nonmandatory expenses. Sets forth the length of the waiver. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall administer the waivers created by the Act. Provides that the Act's benefits shall be applied after federal educational benefits have been applied, unless otherwise provided by rule. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an applicant from receiving federal educational benefits, as long as there is no duplication of State-funded tuition assistance. Allows the Commission to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Sponsor: Gregg Johnson Chamber: House Introduced: 2026-01-30

Stuck

P(Advance)

14.0%

Chance it ever reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”

P(Law)

0.0%

Chance it becomes law given where it is now (stage, momentum).

Confidence: 86% FORECAST

Calculating prediction drivers...

Pipeline Progress

Current stage: In Committee · Last action 108 days ago · SLOW

How does a bill become law in Illinois?

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.
Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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.
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.

Hearings

This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.

Action History

3 actions recorded. Last action: 2026-02-06 — Referred toRules Committee. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.

2026-01-30 Introduction & Filing

Filed with the Clerk byRep. Gregg Johnson House Rule 6(b)

Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.

2026-02-06 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.

2026-02-06 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.

All actions (table)

Date	Chamber	Action	Category	Signal
2026-01-30	House	Filed with the Clerk byRep. Gregg Johnson House Rule 6(b)	Introduction & Filing	—
2026-02-06	House	First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38	Introduction & Filing	—
2026-02-06	House	Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)	Committee Assignment	—