SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty are now eligible for grants and scholarships from the Police Memorial Committee under a law by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) that was signed today.

“Spouses of fallen officers often need to restructure their lives after their loved one is gone,” said Muñoz, a former Chicago police officer. “These scholarships provide support for spouses figuring out how to move forward after such a tragic loss.”

Currently, the Police Memorial Committee offers scholarships to children of police officers killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1183 extends the pool of recipients to include spouses.

The Police Memorial Committee Fund receives $10 of every issuance fee for Police Memorial Committee license plates, and $23 of every renewal fee thereafter. The fund is also used for maintaining a memorial statute on the Capitol Complex, and holding an annual memorial commemoration.

The law goes under effect immediately.