G. I. Bill of Rights

The G.I. Bill of Rights was born in the Luther B. Easley Post No. 128 of the American Legion in Salem, on November 4, 1943. It was drafted by Omar J. McMackin - Salem, Earl W. Merritt - Salem, former Governor John Stelle - McLeansboro, Dr. Leonard W. Esper - Springfield, George H. Bauer - Effingham, William R. McCauley - Olney, James P. Ringley - Lemont, and A. L. Starshak - Chicago. The plan was taken to Washington D.C. by Governor Stelle, who was with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he signed it into law on June 22, 1944. The law was officially titled as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act and was created to assist veterans of active service in the Armed Forces during World War II.