Dupage Policy Journal

A decade after the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy observed in the U.S. armed services ended, Illinois Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) pushed for legislation that restores benefits to veterans impacted by the regulation. 

More than 100,000 service members between World War II and 2011 were dismissed as "other than honorable discharge"  due to their sexual orientation.  

"Despite the repeal of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy a decade ago, LGBTQ+ veterans are still unnecessarily facing the struggles of being denied benefits," the Villa Park lawmaker posted to Facebook May 12. "This measure will be a step toward undoing the discrimination the LGBTQ+ community has historically faced in the military."

The proposed legislation, House Bill 1290, would allow for those discharged from the armed services under the other than honorable discharge for sexual orientation or gender identity to change the status to an honorable discharge, according to a news release on Cullerton's website.  

“Those who valiantly served their country should be honored with benefits no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Cullerton said in the release. “This measure will be a step toward undoing the discrimination the LGBTQ+ community has historically faced in the military.”

Under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, service members were barred from servicing if they identified as gay, lesbian, or any other gender identity or perceived sexual orientation. 

Discharges formerly considered other than honorable block former service members from receiving veterans' benefits because their record does not have the "honorable discharge" title. 

Cullerton, a veteran, has gotten House Bill 1290 passed through the Senate Veterans Affairs, and the measure will move on for further consideration in the Senate.