Several laws in Illinois are designed to protect service people called to duty, and their families. The State of Illinois has made allowances in various rules and laws to ease immediate responsibilities for service men and women called to duty. The goal of these provisions is to prevent financial and other hardship that might result from active duty in the United States military.

Hundreds of Illinois soldiers who are returning home from war overseas are entitled to reemployment upon their return, according to federal law.

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act military personnel must:

• Have given written or verbal advance notice to their employer
• Not have a cumulative length of absences due to service in excess of five years
• Must submit an application for reemployment within an appropriate time frame, which varies depending on the length of military service and whether the person has a service-connected injury or illness

Other sections of the law provide for driver's license and license plate renewal, power of attorney, wills and living wills, fair credit reporting, and student loans:

• Military personnel have up to 45 days after their return to renew their Illinois driver’s license. Plate renewal forms should be returned with an armed forces reserve affidavit form – called the “certificate of military service” – and a note explaining that the person was on active duty.
• Any circumstances that may cause financial problems, such as being called to duty, should be reported to the credit bureau for inclusion in a person’s credit file.
• Under federal law, student loans may be eligible for deferment based on active duty status.
• Some organizations waive their membership dues for those serving in the armed forces.

Any area military base can provide assistance to service personnel and their families through the Legal Assistance Office. Further information is also available in a free brochure from the Illinois State Bar Association entitled “Called to Duty.”

Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations