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"Our war heroes deserve our admiration, respect and gratitude,"
Blagojevich said. "One way to make sure we always recognize their
sacrifice and courage is to make sure that others aren't allowed to
get away with lying about having won military medals."
House Bill 4121, sponsored by Rep. Daniel J. Burke, D-Chicago,
and Sen. Martin A. Sandoval, D-Chicago, is designed to protect the
integrity of all military medals that are issued to the brave men
and women who have fought for this country's freedom. The bill makes
it illegal for a people to portray themselves as recipients of the
prestigious military medals issued by the United States government.
Under the new law, violators can now be charged with false
impersonation, a petty offense, which is punishable with a maximum
fine of $200.
The legislation is in response to a number of high-profile cases
across the country where people have lied about their military
accomplishments. In 1995, an Illinois judge, who later resigned from
his post, lied about receiving two Congressional Medal of Honor
awards but could not be prosecuted because he was never seen
actually wearing the medals.
"The brave Illinois men and women who received these prestigious
commendations put their lives on the line for our freedoms and
protection," said Burke. "That's why we must preserve their
integrity and take the federal law one step further by making this
type of action illegal."
"Preserving and protecting the valor of our nation's heroes and
the recognition they have received will now be the law in Illinois
as we continue to honor the sacrifices they have made on our behalf
and in the cause of freedom," said Sandoval.
Under the legislation, penalties will apply to those who lie
about receiving the following military medals from the U.S.
government:
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Purple Heart --
awarded in the name of the president of the United States to any
member of an armed force or any civilian national of the United
States who, while serving under competent authority in any
capacity with one of the U.S. armed services after April 5,
1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may die
after being wounded.
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Congressional Medal
of Honor -- the highest and greatest medal awarded by the U.S.
armed forces, given for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in
actual combat against an armed enemy force."
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Distinguished
Service Cross -- given to Army soldiers for their valor and acts
of heroism during conflict. It is our nation's second-highest
award for valor, after the Congressional Medal of Honor.
-
Navy Cross -- the
second-highest medal that can be awarded by the U.S. Navy,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard. It is equivalent to the
Distinguished Service Cross.
[to top of second column]
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-
Air Force Cross --
the second-highest medal that can be awarded by the U.S. Air
Force. It is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and
the Navy Cross.
-
Silver Star -- the
third-highest medal awarded for valor, given to soldiers who
show great gallantry in action against an enemy.
-
Bronze Star --
awarded to soldiers who distinguished themselves by heroic or
meritorious achievement or service.
Since the beginning of his administration, Blagojevich has
focused state efforts on assisting Illinois veterans and those
soldiers who are currently on active duty. Through legislative
action the governor has:
-
Created Veterans
Care, a landmark health care program that will help uninsured,
low-income veterans in Illinois get affordable, comprehensive
health care coverage.
-
Increased the
monetary death benefit for families of soldiers killed in Iraq
and Afghanistan, making Illinois the first state in the nation
to offer soldiers additional monetary benefits than those
provided by the federal government.
-
Hired 25 additional
veteran service officers and deployed them around the state to
help Illinois' 1 million veterans get the federal benefits
they're entitled to.
-
Created an Illinois
income tax checkoff program to generate more revenue for
veterans homes.
-
Signed legislation
requiring insurance companies in Illinois to cover
post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition hurting thousands of
veterans in the state.
-
Enacted the Family
Military Leave Act, which provides 15 to 30 days of leave time
for the spouse and parents of a solider who has been called to
more than one month of active duty.
-
Created a
scratch-off lottery game that will help fund grants and programs
to better serve the state's 1 million veterans.
-
Helped Illinois
soldiers and their families maintain health coverage and child
care assistance when they are deployed on active duty.
-
Allowed peacetime
veterans to be admitted at the state's veterans homes.
-
Increased penalties
for individuals who fraudulently try to obtain state benefits
reserved for veterans.
-
Increased property
tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
-
Given National
Guardsmen and reservists a 180-day extension to file their
property taxes.
-
Eliminated initial
fees for the Gold Star plates.
-
Waived camping,
hunting and fishing fees for Illinois residents who are members
of the armed forces and are returning from active duty.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
