SPRINGFIELD — More veterans could soon be eligible for appointment as an Illinois State Police officer under a plan that adds two considerations in meeting the collegiate educational requirements for the position.

Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is leading legislation that makes any person who has been honorably discharged who served in a combat mission or has at least four years of full active duty deemed to have met the collegiate educational requirements.

“Our veterans are leaving the service with skills that make them prime candidates for positions with the Illinois State Police,” Munoz said. “Adding these considerations gives veterans opportunities and the state police a larger candidate pool.”

House Bill 3095 was approved in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD — Veterans could soon gain expanded access to rehabilitation treatment through the Veteran and Servicemember Court program under a proposal that was approved in the Senate Criminal Law Committee yesterday. The measure, sponsored by State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago), allows veterans to request to participate in the Veterans Treatment Court after sentencing.

Often veterans do not recognize they have a problem or want to address the issue until after sentencing.  At that point, under current law, they are no longer eligible to receive assistance.

“Unfortunately, a number of our veterans are struggling with substance and alcohol abuse as a result of their time in the Armed Forces, and we need to make sure they can take advantage of programs that help with their reintegration,” said Munoz, an Army veteran.

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SPRINGFIELD -   In Texas, school bus safety cameras captured the horrifying image of an SUV driver plowing into a student crossing the street after getting off the bus.

http://abc13.com/news/video-drivers-plow-into-2-austin-students-near-bus-stops/1495769/

Thankfully, the student suffered only minor injuries, but as the video has made its rounds on the Internet, Illinois Senator Tony Munoz is reminding students and drivers of the dangers of distracted driving and that Illinois similarly empowers local schools to use school bus safety cameras.

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