New Munoz law creates lottery game to benefit police memorials

SPRINGFIELD – A new scratch-off Illinois Lottery game will create more revenue to benefit police memorials under a new law sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

The legislation, House Bill 5513, was signed into law this week.

“Preserving the memory of fallen officers through memorials, scholarships and assistance to their families shows our gratitude for their service,” said Munoz, a former Chicago police officer. “The families of these brave officers deserve support as they continue to heal from their loss, and they deserve to know their loved one’s service isn’t forgotten.”

The proceeds from the scratch-off will fund grants to be used for building and maintaining memorials and parks, holding annual commemorations, giving scholarships to children of officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty, and providing financial assistance to police officers and their families when an officer is killed or injured in the line of duty.

The game will begin Jan. 1, 2019 or sooner if possible. The net revenue will be deposited equally to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Fund, the Police Memorial Committee Fund and the Illinois State Police Memorial Fund.

The law also allows the fund to be used to provide financial assistance to officers for the purchase or replacement of bullet proof vests to be used in the line of duty.