Springfield… Under legislation proposed by State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) members of the armed forces who have served abroad on active duty would receive free camping, hunting and fishing licenses in Illinois.   The legislation passed unanimously out of the House and now heads to the Senate.

“Under current law, members of the armed forces that have served abroad within the last two years can receive free camping, hunting and fishing licenses equal to the amount of time they have served,” said Poe.  “HB 5860 expands upon this law to allow all veterans that have served abroad to receive free camping, hunting and fishing licenses for the life-time of that individual. 

HB 5860 amends Department of Natural Resources law to allow members of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, and the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces returning from service abroad to camp and hunt without paying fees if the qualifying person applies for a pass at the Department office in Springfield “after” (rather than “within 2 years of”) returning from service abroad.

“I think it is important that we honor not just the men and women of our current armed forces abroad, but also all those individuals who have bravely served our country over the years,” said Poe.  “This is just a very small token of our gratitude for all they have given.”