Illinois Service Recognition Board (WWII)

The Illinois Service Recognition Board (1946-1953), comprised of the Governor, State Treasurer, and Adjutant General, was created by the General Assembly (1946) to provide compensation to World War II veterans or their survivors. Bonus payment monies were provided by a bond issue (approved 1946) which the General Assembly appropriated into two funds (1947) held by the State Treasurer (e.g., Illinois Soldiers' Compensation Fund; Service Recognition Board Interest and Retirement Fund). Board members set general eligibility requirements; established a Board of Review for claim examination; and opened Chicago and Springfield claims offices. The General Assembly abolished the Service Recognition Board (1953) and instructed the Adjutant General to deposit all board records at the State Archives. Any eligible claimant filing a payment request after that date had to obtain payment through the Court of Claims. However, the General Assembly reopened the World War II bonus payments (1973), placing program administration under the Illinois Veterans' Commission (1973-1975) and its successor, the Illinois Dept. of Veterans' Affairs (1975- ).