Adding to the line of other states, Illinois now joins the ranks of jurisdictions that allows for employers to establish a voluntary veteran hiring preference.   The Illinois state bill becomes effective January 1, 2016.

The other 19 states that have previously passed similar laws include:

• Arkansas
• Arizona
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Utah
• Washington