When President George W. Bush officially signed off on a bill to increase G.I. Bill benefits nearly 50 percent, Mark Zimmerman of St. Charles breathed a sigh of relief.

“This just makes it much easier to reintegrate myself into society and become a productive member,” said Zimmerman, a U.S. Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq.

Zimmerman attended a conference at which U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-14th District, applauded the measure at the St. Charles VFW Monday afternoon. 7/7

Beginning Aug. 1, the new legislation will boost the amount of G.I. Bill educational benefits for veterans who served after 9/11. Currently, the G.I. Bill pays for 70 percent of a standard college education and 30 percent of a private institution. Under the new law, funding will be provided for 100 percent for standard and 50 percent for private.

“We now have a G.I. Bill for the 21st century,” Foster said. “This is an opportunity to take great strides in honoring (veterans’) services and their efforts.”

In addition, service members will be provided a $1,000 allowance to cover living expenses, and veterans can use their benefits 15 years after service, up from 10. Service members can also pass benefits on to their families. Veterans in Illinois are already eligible to receive the Illinois Veteran’s grant which provides an additional financial assistance.

Foster said there were indications that Bush would veto the proposal, but strong support from Congress helped push the bill forward.

“I’m very glad Congress stood up on this at the resistance of the administration,” Foster said.

In addition to discussing the new G.I. Bill, the congressman fielded questions from veterans regarding the treatment of military members recovering from injury, healthcare and his stance on the war.

Zimmerman, who served two tours in Iraq, plans to enroll at Northern Illinois University in the fall and possibly pursue a career in forestry.

“It gives me the chance to go to a quality school and get a higher quality education,” said Zimmerman, 31.

Foster said he is pushing a new tax checkoff program on form 1044 that can provide additional funding for family members of veterans.

The G.I. Bill was applauded by Jon Lehuta, adviser to the NIU veteran’s club and NIU student John Galan, both veterans. Lehuta used the G.I. Bill to earn a degree in meteorology and re-entered the U.S. Navy as commissioned officer. Galan is serving in the National Guard and working on his bachelor’s degree.

“(The G.I. Bill) has definitely been great for me,” Lehuta said. “It’s definitely allowed me to become more successful. Passing it on to future generations of vets is one way we can keep it going.”