CHICAGO – The Illinois Veterans’ Home at Quincy will receive nearly $195 million to upgrade the facility, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz announced Wednesday.

“As a veteran, I have fought to ensure veterans have the essential resources they need when they return home,” said Munoz (D-Chicago). “This long-awaited upgrade invests in our veterans who fought for our freedom and rely on these services.”

Illinois received nearly $195 million from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to enhance the Illinois Veteran’s Home at Quincy. The funding will be used for campus reconstruction and replacement of the current veterans’ home with a 210-bed skilled care facility.

In addition, 80 independent rooms will be created which will modernize the campus and provide a cost effective, state-of-the art facility with single rooms and a more intimate setting for veterans needing skilled nursing care.

“Veterans have been a top priority in my legislative agenda and as the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee,” Munoz said. “This investment will make a significant impact on the lives of our state’s veterans.”

The building construction grant comes from a federal-state partnership between the federal VA, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Capital Development Board. The project is currently in progress with the completion targeted for the end of 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) spearheaded a measure to help reduce the number of stolen car parts by requiring people to keep record of the sale of catalytic converters that was signed into law Friday.

“The rise in crime in Chicago and across Illinois was addressed this legislative session,” Munoz said. “This new law will decrease catalytic converter thefts by closing the loophole many found a way around.”

The new law adds catalytic converters to the definition of recyclable metal, requiring record keeping on the purchase of catalytic converters. The license plate number of the vehicle, photographs or video of the seller, a verified name and address of the seller, and a signed declaration by the seller stating that the catalytic converter was not stolen are required.

In addition, the measure prohibits a recyclable metal dealer from purchasing a catalytic converter with a value over $100 with cash.

According to a recent State Farm study, Illinois ranks in the top five states in the nation for catalytic converter thefts.

“I’m hopeful innocent people won’t be affected by this senseless crime anymore,” Munoz said. “We need to keep our streets safe, and this is one way we will do that.”

The new law takes effect immediately.

CHICAGO – Military sexual violence survivors will be protected and perpetrators will be held accountable thanks to a measure led by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz that was signed into law Thursday.

“As a U.S. Army veteran, I understand the importance of protecting the members of our armed forces,” said Munoz (D-Chicago). “This new law will help fight sexual and domestic violence within the military to protect airmen, marines and soldiers across Illinois.”

Senate Bill 257 extends the authority of military protection orders beyond military locations, ensuring survivors receive full protection no matter where they are and that perpetrators can be held accountable. Survivors will be provided with additional employment protections as they recover.

Military protection orders are issued by military tribunals to protect survivors of military sexual or domestic violence from the alleged perpetrator of that violence by restricting the perpetrator’s contact with the survivor. The new law will allow military legal authorities to file military protection orders with Illinois courts and give those orders the same authority as a civilian protection order issued by a circuit court within Illinois. Additionally, giving local and state police the authority to enforce the military protection order within Illinois.

“Protecting military sexual violence survivors is vital for their safety and recovery,” Munoz said. “I’m proud of the work and dedication from Representative Kifowit and other stakeholders that allowed us to work together to protect the people serving in the military.”

The new law takes effect immediately.

CHICAGO – Over 280 businesses in the 1^st Senate District were awarded more than $11 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz.

“Businesses have fought to keep their doors open,” said Munoz (D-Chicago). “Local businesses are continuing to get back on their feet after a financially tough few years.”

A total of $11.115 million was awarded to 282 businesses in the 1st District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Senator Munoz – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” Munoz said. “Let’s continue shopping local to show our support for small businesses.”

With strong leadership from Munoz, the state has seen six Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Due to fiscal responsibility, the state saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Munoz urges small businesses to visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..