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92_HB0306 LRB9204092MWdv 1 AN ACT concerning military forces. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 5 Illinois Legislative Medal of Valor Act. 6 Section 5. Illinois Legislative Medal of Valor. The 7 Illinois Legislative Medal of Valor shall be awarded annually 8 on Veteran's Day to current or former members of the State 9 military forces or the United States armed forces who have 10 voluntarily performed a deed of personal bravery or 11 self-sacrifice involving risk of life that is so conspicuous 12 as to clearly distinguish the person for gallantry and 13 intrepidity above that person's comrades. Awarding of the 14 medal will be considered on the standard of extraordinary 15 merit. The medal may be awarded only on incontestable proof 16 of performance of the deed. 17 Section 10. Recommendations. An individual having 18 personal knowledge of an act, an achievement, or exceptional 19 service warranting the award of the Illinois Legislative 20 Medal of Valor may submit a letter of recommendation to the 21 Adjutant General. The letter of recommendation must give an 22 account of the occurrence of the deed and statements of 23 eyewitnesses, extracts from official records, sketches, maps, 24 diagrams, or photographs to support and amplify the stated 25 facts. 26 Section 15. Procedure for review of recommendations; 27 Panel. 28 (a) The Adjutant General must transmit all letters of 29 recommendation for the Illinois Legislative Medal of Valor -2- LRB9204092MWdv 1 and the supporting documentation for the recommendations to a 2 5-member panel consisting of one member of the public 3 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one 4 member of the public appointed by the President of the 5 Senate, one member of the public appointed by the Minority 6 Leader of the House of Representatives, and one member of the 7 public appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. The 8 Adjutant General shall be an ex officio member of the panel. 9 The public members of the panel must be veterans of the State 10 military forces or the United States armed forces. 11 (b) The 5-member panel shall establish procedures for 12 submission and review of recommendations. If the panel 13 determines that a case meets the criteria established for 14 awarding of the Illinois Legislative Medal of Valor, the 15 panel shall recommend to the General Assembly the awarding of 16 the medal. 17 Section 20. Award. The Illinois Legislative Medal of 18 Valor may be awarded only on approval of a joint resolution 19 of the General Assembly. The Governor shall confer the medal 20 to the chosen recipient or recipients in a ceremony on 21 Veteran's Day. 22 Section 25. Medal; ribbons; ceremonial plaque. The 23 General Assembly shall commission, through its 5-member 24 panel, the design and production of the Illinois Legislative 25 Medal of Valor, an appropriate ribbon for uniform wear, and a 26 permanent ceremonial plaque that shall be located in a place 27 of honor in the Statehouse Rotunda. 28 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 29 becoming law.