Public Act 098-0888
 
HB3829 EnrolledLRB098 15407 KTG 50436 b



    AN ACT concerning State government.

 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the General Assembly: 




 
 
    Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic 
Opportunity Law of the
Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is 
amended  by changing Section 605-300 as follows:
 



    (20 ILCS 605/605-300)  (was 20 ILCS 605/46.2)



    Sec. 605-300. Economic and business development plans; 
Illinois Business Development Council. 
    (a) Economic development plans. The Department shall 
develop a strategic economic development plan for the State by 
July 1, 2014. By no later than July 1, 2015, and by July 1 
annually thereafter, the Department shall make modifications 
to the plan as modifications are warranted by changes in 
economic conditions or by other factors, including changes in 
policy. In addition to the annual modification, the plan shall 
be reviewed and redeveloped in full every 5 years. In the 
development of the annual economic development plan, the 
Department shall consult with representatives of the private 
sector, other State agencies, academic institutions, local 
economic development organizations, local governments, and 
not-for-profit organizations. The annual economic development 
plan shall set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and 
time-sensitive goals and shall include a focus on areas of high 
unemployment or poverty.
    The term "economic development" shall be construed broadly 
by the Department and may include, but is not limited to, job 
creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, development of 
human capital, workforce productivity, critical 
infrastructure, regional competitiveness, social inclusion, 
standard of living, environmental sustainability, energy 
independence, quality of life, the effective use of financial 
incentives, the utilization of public private partnerships 
where appropriate, and other metrics determined by the 
Department.
    The plan shall be based on relevant economic data, focus on 
economic development as prescribed by this Section, and 
emphasize strategies to retain and create jobs.
    The plan shall identify and develop specific strategies for 
utilizing the assets of regions within the State defined as 
counties and municipalities or other political subdivisions in 
close geographical proximity that share common economic traits 
such as commuting zones, labor market areas, or other 
economically integrated characteristics.
    If the plan includes strategies that have a fiscal impact 
on the Department or any other agency, the plan shall include a 
detailed description of the estimated fiscal impact of such 
strategies.
    Prior to publishing the plan in its final form, the 
Department shall allow for a reasonable time for public input.
    The Department shall transmit copies of the economic 
development plan to the Governor and the General Assembly no 
later than July 1, 2014, and by July 1 annually thereafter.  The 
plan and its corresponding modifications shall be published and 
made available to the public in both paper and electronic 
media, on the Department's website, and by any other method 
that the Department deems appropriate.
    The Department shall annually submit legislation to 
implement the strategic economic development plan or 
modifications to the strategic economic development plan to the 
Governor, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, and 
the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House of 
Representatives.  The legislation shall be in the form of one or 
more substantive bills drafted by the Legislative Reference 
Bureau.
    (b) Business development plans; Illinois Business 
Development Council.
        (1) There is created the Illinois Business Development 
    Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council. The 
    Council shall consist of the Director, who shall serve as 
    co-chairperson, and 12 voting members who shall be 
    appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of 
    the Senate.
            (A) The voting members of the Council shall include 
        one representative from each of the following 
        businesses and groups: small business, coal, 
        healthcare, large manufacturing, small or specialized 
        manufacturing, agriculture, high technology or applied 
        science, local economic development entities, private 
        sector organized labor, a local or state business 
        association or chamber of commerce.
            (B) There shall be 2 at-large voting members who 
        reside within areas of high unemployment within 
        counties or municipalities that have had an annual 
        average unemployment rate of at least 120% of the 
        State's annual average unemployment rate as reported 
        by the Department of Employment Security for the 5 
        years preceding the date of appointment.
        (2) All appointments shall be made in a geographically 
    diverse manner.
        (3) For the initial appointments to the Council, 6 
    voting members shall be appointed to serve a 2-year term 
    and 6 voting members shall be appointed to serve a 4-year 
    term. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for terms of 4 
    years. The initial term of voting members shall commence on 
    the first Wednesday in February 2014. Thereafter, the terms 
    of voting members shall commence on the first Wednesday in 
    February, except in the case of an appointment to fill a 
    vacancy. Vacancies occurring among the members shall be 
    filled in the same manner as the original appointment for 
    the remainder of the unexpired term. For a vacancy 
    occurring when the Senate is not in session, the Governor 
    may make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of 
    the Senate when a person shall be nominated to fill the 
    office, and, upon confirmation by the Senate, he or she 
    shall hold office during the remainder of the term. A 
    vacancy in membership does not impair the ability of a 
    quorum to exercise all rights and perform all duties of the 
    Council. A member is eligible for reappointment.
        (4) Members shall serve without compensation, but may 
    be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the 
    performance of their duties from funds appropriated for 
    that purpose.
        (5) In addition, the following shall serve as ex 
    officio, non-voting members of the Council in order to 
    provide specialized advice and support to the Council: the 
    Secretary of Transportation, or his or her designee; the 
    Director of Employment Security, or his or her designee; 
    the Executive Director of the Illinois Finance Authority, 
    or his or her designee; the Director of Agriculture, or his 
    or her designee; the Director of Revenue, or his or her 
    designee; the Director of Labor, or his or her designee; 
    and the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, or 
    his or her designee. Ex officio Ex-officio members shall 
    provide staff and technical assistance to the Council when 
    appropriate.
        (6) In addition to the Director, the voting members 
    shall elect a co-chairperson.
        (7) The Council shall meet at least twice annually and 
    at such other times as the co-chairpersons or any 5 voting 
    members consider necessary.  Seven voting members shall 
    constitute a quorum of the Council.
        (8) The Department shall provide staff assistance to 
    the Council.
        (9) The Council shall provide the Department relevant 
    information in a timely manner pursuant to its duties as 
    enumerated in

this Section that can be used by the 
    Department to enhance the State's strategic economic 
    development plan.
        (10) The Council shall:
            (A) Develop an overall strategic business 
        development plan for the State of Illinois and update 
        the plan at least annually; that plan shall include, 
        without limitation, (i)  an assessment of the economic 
        development practices of states that border Illinois 
        and (ii)  recommendations for best practices with 
        respect to economic development, business incentives, 
        business attraction, and business retention for 
        counties in Illinois that border at least one other 
        state.
            (B) Develop business marketing plans for the State 
        of Illinois to effectively solicit new company 
        investment and existing business expansion. Insofar as 
        allowed under the Illinois Procurement Code, and 
        subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly 
        for such purposes, the Council may assist the 
        Department in the procurement of outside vendors to 
        carry out such marketing plans.
            (C) Seek input from local economic development 
        officials to develop specific strategies to 
        effectively link State and local business development 
        and marketing efforts focusing on areas of high 
        unemployment or poverty.
            (D) Provide the Department with advice on 
        strategic business development
and business marketing 
        for the State of Illinois.
            (E) Provide the Department research and recommend 
        best practices for developing investment tools for 
        business attraction and retention.

(Source: P.A. 98-397, eff. 8-16-13; revised 10-8-13.)

 
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.