IL FALLEN HEROES MONTH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Murri Briel and 27 co-sponsors

Declares June 2026 as Illinois Fallen Heroes Month to honor and remind the public of service members who gave their lives, through ceremonies and remembrance activities statewide.

Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt

Summary of HR 864 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and intent

The bill designates June 2026 as “Illinois Fallen Heroes Month” in the state of Illinois.

Its core aim is to honor and remember Illinois service members and other fallen heroes who gave their lives in defense of the United States, and to provide a ceremonial counterpart to existing military appreciation efforts.

Key provisions and changes

Proclamation: Declares June 2026 as Illinois Fallen Heroes Month.

Observance and acknowledgement: Encourages recognition and remembrance across the state.

Activities encouraged: Invites citizens, schools, businesses, veterans’ organizations, and government entities to observe the month through ceremonies, tributes, and acts of remembrance.

Purpose of observance: To honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives while also serving as a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom and the legacy of fallen heroes.

Relationship to other observances: Frames Illinois Fallen Heroes Month as a solemn counterpart to Illinois Military Appreciation Month, which honors living service members and veterans.

Affected parties

Statewide: Illinois residents, including:

Schools and educational institutions
Businesses and private organizations
Veterans’ organizations
State and local government entities

Families and communities of fallen service members, who may receive increased recognition and ceremonial support during the observance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsorship: Filed by Rep. Brandun Schweizer; co-sponsored by Brandun Schweizer.

Committee action: Referred to Rules Committee (as of the action history).

Effective timing: Establishes a commemorative month specifically for June 2026; future iterations would require additional legislative action to designate subsequent years.

Practical impact

Symbolic and ceremonial significance rather than creating new funding or regulatory obligations.

Provides a formal framework for remembrance activities statewide, potentially guiding school programs, public ceremonies, and community events in June 2026.

Complement to existing honors program by ensuring ongoing public acknowledgement of sacrifices alongside ongoing Military Appreciation Month activities.

Notes

The measure is a House Resolution and does not appear to create binding obligations or authorize spending beyond encouraging observance.

Aims to foster education, reflection, and family support through public remembrance of Illinois fallen heroes.