Manley Bill to Protect Missing Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, introduced legislation requiring law enforcement agencies to implement a Green Alert Program, a public notification system for missing veterans and active-duty members of the Armed Forces.

“The brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country deserve to be protected by us at home,” said Manley. “We must ensure that we do everything in our power to find veterans and armed service members when they go missing, and my legislation will create a powerful tool to make sure law enforcement has the resources to locate them.”

Manley introduced House Bill 3273, which directs law enforcement agencies to create a Green Alert Program, a program for members of the Armed Forces similar to the Amber Alert program. Under the program, when a law enforcement agency is alerted that there is a missing member of the Armed Forces, they must contact the Illinois State Police, National Crime Information Center, Illinois Department of Transportation, and local media outlets to disseminate information on the individual and help them get located.

Manley has been a strong supporter of veterans since entering the General Assembly. In response to the Quincy Veterans Home Legionnaires outbreak, she introduced a bill requiring a biannual report to be submitted to the General Assembly about the welfare of residents at state veteran homes and information regarding any diseases present in those homes. Manley has also worked to give back to local veterans in her district by hosting an honorary breakfast that over 100 veterans attended.

“With all that they have done on our behalf, it is crucial that we give back to our veterans and show how much we all appreciate what they have done for us,” said Manley. “Whether through legislation or other means, it is important that we do all we can to improve the lives of our veterans, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Springfield to do so.”