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SPRINGFIELD- To assist military families, the new Senate Veteran Affairs Committee Chairman, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), advanced legislation to update the Line of Duty Compensation Act.
The Line of Duty Compensation Act provides for death benefits to be paid through the Court of Claims when law enforcement officers, firemen and military service men and women are killed in the line of duty.
Cullerton recently heard from the Attorney General's Office about a claim filed by the wife of a U.S. Army serviceman who was killed during Operation Freedom Sentinel which is not currently included in the act.
"This is one small step to eliminate unnecessary hurdles for families who have already lost too much," Cullerton said. "This update will guarantee those who have lost one of Illinois' heroes will be taken care of after they are gone."
Senate Bill 860 will update the Line of Duty Compensation Act to include recent military operations: Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve.
"These military families have already made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom," Cullerton said. "It's our duty to make this process as easy as possible for their loved ones."
Senate Bill 860 passed the Senate's Committee on Veteran Affairs with bipartisan support and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.