The Illinois Veterans' Commission (1945-1971), composed of three veterans and three administrators appointed by the governor, informed veterans and their beneficiaries about state and federal benefits; and coordinated state veteran affairs' services and activities. A Service Recognition Board, composed of the Governor, state Treasurer, and the Adjutant General, was created to administer bonus payments to Korean War veterans or their beneficiaries (1957). However, the funding bond issue failed, and the General Assembly passed a Korean Veterans' Compensation Act which raised bonus monies through a new cigarette tax and stipulated that the Commission administer the bonus program.
The Korean Veterans' Compensation Act was repealed on May 11, 1967 and unpaid claims (prior to July 1, 1967) lapsed. Bonus program records were to be deposited by the commission at the Illinois State Archives. World War II and Korean War bonus program were reopened by the General Assembly (1973 and 1975) and these bonus claims and related records were kept by the Veterans' Commission until 1975 when the newly created Dept. of Veterans' Affairs assumed all commission duties.
From the description of Schedules of vouchers for Korean War bonus payments, 1959-1960. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 37223271
