Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday signed a law that would defend service members and their families from losing health insurance after finishing a tour of military service or getting an honorable discharge.

The want for Senate Bill 916 was made clear by a frequent trend of service members being refused reinstatements of coverage by private insurance companies once they had returned from energetic duty.

"Illinois soldiers, sailors and Marines who are sent to defend our country deserve our support and help when they return. They certainly must not have to worry about losing their health insurance as they were called to active duty," Blagojevich said.