Two additional days off for veterans' medical needs

[May 24, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Under legislation sponsored by state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, veterans who work for the state of Illinois would receive four days of leave per year to get the medical assistance they need at facilities for veterans.

House Bill 639, sponsored by Bomke, grants state employees who are veterans four days of leave per year. These days off are in addition to any available sick, vacation or personal leave they may have.

The additional time off must be used to visit a veterans hospital or clinic for examination of a service-related disability. Currently, veterans are granted two days of additional leave and are limited to visits to a veterans hospital.

"These brave men and women have fought for our country and our freedoms," said Bomke. "We need to do all that we can to make sure they're getting the care they require."

Bomke's legislation, House Bill 639, was approved by the Senate and House and now waits the governor's signature before becoming law.

[Text from news release sent on behalf of Sen. Larry Bomke and received from Illinois Senate Republican staff]