Attorney General Raoul Releases
Updated Guidance on Veteran's Legal Rights
Send a link to a friend
[February 06, 2023]
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued an
updated guidance for Illinois service members to ensure the legal
rights of Illinois veterans, service members and their families are
upheld and easily accessible. Raoul’s updated “Legal Rights of
Illinois Service Members” guide also includes federal and state
veteran benefit laws.
|
“I
am committed to protecting the rights of those who have sacrificed
for our country. A key to that is educating our veterans, service
members and their families on what their rights are and what laws
benefit them,” Raoul said. “The staff of my Military and Veterans’
Rights Bureau, all of whom are veterans, are committed to making
sure Illinois’ service members, veterans and their families have
access to information that is up to date and readily available. I
encourage veterans and their families to access the updated guide
and contact the experts in my office for additional assistance.”
Attorney General Raoul’s “Legal Rights of Illinois Service Members”
guide details new and updated laws that benefit veterans, including:
Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA):
Federal service member employment rights law that outlines
rights for the employed member and obligations of the employer.
Illinois Service member Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (ISERRA):
Law that outlines state service member employment rights.
Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA):
Active service members can no longer lose custody of a child
based solely on deployments, and courts will no longer consider
deployments when determining custody.
[to top of second column] |
Illinois Service Member Civil Relief Act (ISCRA):
Law enacted to supplement the SCRA. It strengthens existing
consumer protections, and provides additional protections for active
duty service members, reservists, members of the Illinois National
Guard and their spouses during their periods of military service.
Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities:
Qualified veterans or surviving spouses may be eligible for a
reduction in property taxes based on the equalized assessed value of
the primary residence.
Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption:
For the 2007 taxable year and thereafter, a homestead exemption
is provided to eligible returning veterans. The exemption is a
one-time $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value of the
veteran’s primary residence.
Free credit freeze for Active Duty Service Members:
Illinois’ Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act
entitles active duty service members to a free credit freeze if they
become victims of identity theft.
For questions or more information on service member and veterans’
rights, visit the Attorney General’s website or call the Military
and Veterans’ Rights Helpline at 1-800-382-3000 to speak with a live
expert.
[Illinois Attorney General's Office] |