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SB 3646

VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Cristina Castro and 2 co-sponsors

SB3646 creates JVACs to fund, oversee, and standardize veteran assistance across multi-county circuits, with training, audits, and public reporting.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 3646

Summary of SB3646 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Main purpose and intent

SB3646 expands the Military Veterans Assistance Act to create new organizational structures and clarify funding, governance, and oversight for veteran assistance in Illinois. The bill specifically enables the creation of Jurisdictional Veterans Assistance Commissions (JVACs) in certain counties and outlines broad provisions for veteran services, funding, arbitration, enforcement, reporting, and governance. The overarching goal is to enhance access to benefits and services for veterans and their families and to standardize training, accountability, and administration across commissions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of JVACs (Section 9.1(o))

    • In counties that did not have a Veterans Assistance Commission before Jan 1, 2026, and where a judicial circuit includes multiple counties, veteran service organizations in those counties may combine to form a JVAC. The JVAC is known as the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of the relevant judicial circuit.
    • The JVAC superintendent must be selected from honorably discharged veterans across all participating counties and maintain a centrally located office within the judicial circuit (with possible multiple offices in larger circuits).

  • Delegates and training

    • Delegates and alternates are selected by the participating veteran service organizations in the circuit, following procedures similar to single-county commissions.
    • All delegates/alternates must complete an online training curriculum within 30 days of seated appointment. Training completion is mandatory for maintaining voting rights.

  • Funding and funding sources (Sections 5-2006; 12-21.13)

    • Counties with a JVAC may levy a tax of up to 0.03% (and up to 0.04% if voters authorize) of assessed value to fund veteran assistance, with proceeds directed to the JVAC headquarters’ county treasury.
    • For JVACs, minimum annual funding mirrors state/local funding mechanisms and must be used exclusively for authorized veteran assistance purposes. Funds may not be mishandled or transferred to not-for-profit entities to supplant responsibilities.
    • The bill preserves state aid pathways and requires JVACs to be funded by a mix of local taxes, county funds, and state funds as applicable.

  • Arbitration and civil actions (Section 2(1))

    • If a supervisor of general assistance or county board fails to provide recommended assistance funding, veterans organizations or VAC/JVAC may pursue arbitration or, if necessary, a mandamus action in court.

  • Accountability, reporting, and audits

    • Annual reporting requirements to the Governor and county officials; mandatory public website publication of minutes, voting results, delegates, and office details.
    • Annual audits required under the Governmental Accounting Act; reports shared with the Attorney General’s office and publicly available online.

  • Restrictions and prohibitions

    • Funding cannot be disbursed to or transferred to not-for-profit corporations; JVACs/VCAs are to retain control of funds.
    • Prohibitions on creating similarly named not-for-profit entities; gifts/donations are allowed but subject to reporting/auditing.

Affected entities

  • Counties with JVACs or VACs (including small counties previously without a VAC)
  • Veteran service organizations within participating counties and judicial circuits
  • Veterans and their families who rely on state/local veteran assistance programs
  • County boards, Open Meetings Act-trained delegates/alternates, and Veterans Assistance Provost (appointed by the Attorney General)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective provisions target counties that merged or created JVACs beginning in 2026, with training and appointment timelines (e.g., 30-day training window for delegates/alternates).
  • Regular reporting and annual audits due to state oversight, with web publication requirements.
  • Arbitration provisions provide a pathway to resolve funding disputes outside of litigation, while mandating court relief if necessary.

Note: This summary reflects the as-introduced text and may be refined by committee amendments or floor actions.

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

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