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HB5596 • 2026
POW MIA RECOGNITION DAY
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
POW MIA RECOGNITION DAY
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Wayne A. Rosenthal
POW MIA RECOGNITION DAY
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Full Text of HB5596 Home Legislation Full Text HB5596 - 104th General Assembly Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Select Menu Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Printer Friendly Version Introduced Printer Friendly Version Introduced Open PDF 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB5596 Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Wayne A. Rosenthal SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 5 ILCS 490/105 Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the third Friday of September in each year as POW/MIA Recognition Day (rather than the third Friday of September in each year is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day) to be observed in honor and remembrance of the men and women who, as POWs, have suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the United States armed forces or who, as MIAs, have been recognized as missing in action in a time of war or during a period of hostilities (rather than who were recognized as POWs or MIAs in a time of war or during a period of hostilities). Provides that the Governor shall request, in the Governor's annual designation by official proclamation, that some portion of the third Friday of September be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the United States armed forces who have been held prisoners of war and members of the United States armed forces who have been missing in action and the resolve of families and friends who continue to seek the fullest possible accounting for missing loved ones. Effective immediately. LRB104 18465 BDA 31907 b A BILL FOR HB5596 LRB104 18465 BDA 31907 b 1 AN ACT concerning government. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended by 5 changing Section 105 as follows: 6 (5 ILCS 490/105) 7 Sec. 105. POW/MIA Recognition Day. The Governor shall 8 annually designate by official proclamation the third Friday 9 of September in each year is designated as POW/MIA Recognition 10 Day to be observed throughout the State as a day in honor and 11 remembrance of the men and women of this State who , as POWs, 12 have suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active 13 service with the United States armed forces or who, as MIAs, 14 have been recognized as missing in action were recognized as 15 POWs or MIAs while serving with the armed forces of the United 16 States in a time of war or during a period of hostilities. The 17 Governor shall request, in the Governor's annual designation 18 by official proclamation, that some portion of the third 19 Friday of September be used for solemn contemplation on the 20 plight of members of the United States armed forces who have 21 been held prisoners of war and members of the United States 22 armed forces who have been missing in action and the resolve of 23 families and friends who continue to seek the fullest possible HB5596 - 2 - LRB104 18465 BDA 31907 b 1 accounting for missing loved ones. 2 (Source: P.A. 90-752, eff. 8-14-98.) 3 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 4 becoming law. Footer Disclaimer This site is maintained for the Illinois General Assembly by the Legislative Information System, 705 Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706. Contact ILGA Webmaster ILGA.gov uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse ILGA.gov you consent to our use of cookies. 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