Springfield, IL (WAND) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed several bills into law Wednesday to lift up veterans across the state. The new laws aim to help with higher education and mental health services.

“Every servicemember makes a sacrifice when they take time away from their loved ones, career or education to answer the call to defend our nation,” Pritzker said. “This legislation ensures our Illinois veterans can return to the lives they put on pause with the support and resources they need to thrive.”

Senate Bill 3737 will ensure Illinois servicemembers are not academically penalized when military duty interrupts their higher education.

The Illinois SERVE Act models federal law by requiring public and private colleges to accommodate academic military leave when students are called to service. That includes readmission rights following completion of military duty with the same enrollment status, credit hours, academic standing and progress.

“It also provides that spouses of servicemembers are eligible for a full refund of their college tuition costs if they withdrew from a degree program on account of their spouse’s military service,” said Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Burbank).

Another law will create the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program to increase recruitment through peer-to-peer referrals and promote cooperation between the Illinois Army National Guard and the Illinois Air National Guard.

A separate law could help tackle the veterans suicide crisis by supporting solutions to veteran mental health challenges like PTSD. This law will continue the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Advisory Council through 2027 and move the council to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“It expands the council from nine to 15 members,” said Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia). “It strengthens the expertise of the council by adding the Director of Veterans Affairs or their designee, the Secretary of Human Services or their designee and four subject matter experts in breakthrough therapies, pharmacology, clinical trials and psychiatry.”

Each of these laws received unanimous support from state lawmakers this spring. They will all take effect Jan. 1.