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HB 2572

Poor persons; Poor Persons Act of 2025; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kyle Hilbert

IDVA is given explicit authority to determine eligibility and adopt rules for paying eligible minor children under the deceased, disabled, and MIA/POW veterans’ dependents scholars

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 2572

Summary — HB 2572 (Public Act 104-0238): Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans’ Dependents Scholarship & Grant Act (Ill.)

Purpose

HB 2572 amends two Illinois laws governing educational and treatment benefits for dependents of deceased, disabled, or MIA/POW veterans and servicepersons. The primary substantive change is to vest the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) with rulemaking authority to determine eligibility and to adopt rules for rendering payments to eligible minor children. The Act makes related technical and procedural clarifications.

Key provisions

  • Retains the existing MIA/POW Scholarship program in the School Code (105 ILCS 5/30‑14.2):
    • Eligible dependents (spouse, natural child, legally adopted child under 18 at adoption, minor child under court-ordered guardianship for at least 2 continuous years prior to application, or step‑child under 18 at the time of marriage) may receive a scholarship equal to 4 calendar years of full‑time enrollment (including summer terms) at a state‑supported Illinois institution.
    • “Full‑time” is defined as 12+ semester hours (or quarter equivalent); awards are prorated for less‑than‑full‑time enrollment.
    • Scholarships waive tuition and mandatory fees; dependents may also enroll in extension courses without tuition/approved fees.
    • If a surviving spouse remarries or divorces while the dependent is pursuing study, benefits terminate at the end of the current term.
    • Dependents who paid fees for which they are later exempt may be reimbursed if they apply within 2 months after the end of the relevant school term.
  • Retains the alternative benefit (330 ILCS 105/2):
    • In lieu of the scholarship, dependents with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities may receive payments to defray attendance/treatment costs at therapeutic/rehabilitative/educational facilities, up to the cost-equivalent of 4 years of full‑time enrollment at the University of Illinois.
    • When practicable, IDVA may pay facilities directly as costs accrue.
  • Administration and funding:
    • Benefits administered and paid from funds available to IDVA.
    • Amounts due institutions are payable by the Comptroller on vouchers approved by IDVA; subsection (b) payments are payable by warrant on IDVA vouchers approved by the Comptroller.
    • IDVA shall determine eligibility and adopt rules, including rules on how payments are rendered to eligible minor children.

Eligibility of the veteran/serviceperson (summary)

An “eligible veteran or serviceperson” is one who:
- Has been declared a POW or MIA, or
- Died as a result of a service‑connected disability, or
- Has a permanent service‑connected disability at 100%,
and meets one of the Illinois residency conditions:
- Was an Illinois resident at the time of entering service, or
- Became an Illinois resident within 6 months after entering service, or
- Is an Illinois resident at time of application and was a resident for at least 15 consecutive years at some point after entering service.

Who is affected

  • Dependents of qualifying Illinois veterans/servicepersons (potential beneficiaries).
  • State‑supported Illinois institutions of higher learning (tuition/fee waivers; reimbursement processes).
  • Facilities providing therapeutic/rehabilitative/educational services (may receive direct payments).
  • Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Comptroller (administration, payment processing).

Effective date & legislative history

  • Enrolled as Public Act 104‑0238.
  • Governor approved: August 15, 2025.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2026.
  • Legislative actions show passage in both chambers and enactment after transmittal to the Governor.

Practical impact / notes

  • The bill does not materially expand benefit amounts or eligibility categories but clarifies administrative authority: IDVA is explicitly directed to determine eligibility and adopt rules (including procedures for paying minor children). This is primarily procedural/administrative, intended to standardize eligibility determinations and payment processes for beneficiaries and institutions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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