Members of the Illinois National Guard may be eligible for an additional two years of tuition waivers under legislation signed by Governor Pat Quinn.
The Chicago Democrat signed the bill Saturday in the northwestern Illinois community of Silvis.
It allows people with at least 10 years of service in the Illinois National Guard to receive up to six years of tuition waivers at public colleges and universities. The waivers previously were available for up to four years.
The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Michael Frerichs, a Democrat from Champaign, and Rep. Deborah Conroy, a Democrat from Villa Park.
They say the extension recognizes that National Guard members are often older and may take longer to complete their education.
The law takes effect beginning in the 2013 through 2014 school year.
