Quinn backs military relief bill

Gov. Pat Quinn is backing a measure by an Illinois congressman to help military families by giving them money collected from a checkoff program on federal income tax forms.

Democratic Bill Foster from Illinois' 14th Congressional District is sponsoring the bill to create the National Military Family Relief Fund.

Foster's proposal is modeled on a similar program in Illinois that Quinn helped to create.

According to Quinn, the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund has collected $8 million to aid military families since its inception in 2003.

Quinn is encouraging people to donate.