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SB 1414

WAR/VETS MEMORIALS & MONUMENTS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mike Porfirio

Creates a statewide Commission to inventory, designate, and fund restoration and signage for war and veterans memorials across Illinois.

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Bill Summary · SB 1414

Summary — SB 1414: Illinois War and Veterans Memorials and Monuments Commission

Status: Introduced (SB1414, Sen. Mike Porfirio); effective date — upon becoming law. First commission meeting required by July 4, 2025. (Document includes mixed/duplicative text; this summary focuses on the War & Veterans Memorials and Monuments provisions in the bill.)

Main purpose

Create an Illinois War and Veterans Memorials and Monuments Commission to inventory, evaluate, designate, and help preserve war- and veterans‑related memorials and monuments across the State in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Illinois War and Veterans Memorials and Monuments Commission within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
  • Commission duties include:
    • Creating a comprehensive statewide inventory/list of all war and veterans memorials and monuments.
    • Establishing criteria and designating memorials/monuments that have unique historical significance.
    • Identifying memorials/monuments in need of restoration or other aid and matching them with grants and funding sources for repair and maintenance.
    • Highlighting the need for historical markers or signage to improve public education and awareness.
  • Membership and composition:
    • The bill specifies a multi‑member Commission with a majority who must be veterans.
    • Appointing authorities include legislative leaders (President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, minority leaders), the Governor, Secretary of State, the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees (to appoint a military historian), the Department of Military Affairs, and other veteran-related entities referenced in the text.
    • Members serve without compensation; public (non‑officer) members may be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses.
    • The Commission should, to the extent possible, reflect Illinois’ geographic diversity and include representatives of each branch of the U.S. military and veterans who served in major conflicts.
  • Operations:
    • The Commission must hold its first meeting by July 4, 2025 and elect a chair by simple majority.
    • Subsequent meetings occur as called by the chair.
    • The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is directed to provide administrative support.

Who is affected

  • State and local governments, historic preservation entities, veterans’ organizations, municipalities and counties that host memorials/monuments, and communities with memorials that may need restoration, designation, or signage.
  • Veterans and families benefit from increased recognition, protection, and potential access to funding for upkeep.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • The bill does not include an explicit appropriation; administrative support is assigned to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Costs may include staff time and modest reimbursements for public members.
  • The commission’s matching/identification role could facilitate grant applications and the leveraging of other funding sources for monument restoration and signage.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment; initial convening date set to align with the 250th anniversary preparations.

Related/ancillary information

  • Companion or related house bills were noted in the provided document. The official bill sponsor for the memorials commission text is Senator Mike Porfirio (SB1414, introduced 1/31/2025). The provided package includes some mixed or duplicated appointment language; final statutory text may clarify membership details.

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

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