SB2344 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 11358 RTM 21446 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2344

Introduced 2/7/2025, by Sen. Steve Stadelman

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to promote, stimulate, and develop the general and economic welfare of the State of Illinois and its communities and to assist in the development and redevelopment of major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related projects within eligible areas of the State, thereby creating new jobs, stimulating significant capital investment, and promoting the general welfare of the citizens of this State, by authorizing municipalities and counties to issue sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds for the financing of STAR bond projects and to otherwise exercise the powers and authorities granted to municipalities to provide incentives to create new job opportunities and to promote major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related projects within the State. Provides that the Office of the Governor, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall have final approval of all STAR bond districts and STAR bond projects established under this Act, which may be established throughout the 10 Economic Development Regions in the State as established by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that regardless of the number of STAR bond districts established within any Economic Development Region, only one STAR bond project may be approved in each of the 10 Regions, excluding projects located in STAR bond districts established under the Innovation Development and Economy Act. Provides that each STAR bond district in which a STAR bonds project has been approved may only receive 50% of the total development costs up to $75,000,000 in State sales tax increment. Provides that a STAR bond district under the Act may not be located either entirely or partially inside of a municipality with a population in excess of 2,000,000. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning statewide innovation development.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy Act.

Section 5. Purpose. It is hereby found and declared that the purpose of this Act is to promote, stimulate, and develop the general and economic welfare of the State of Illinois and its communities and to assist in the development and redevelopment of major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related projects within eligible areas of the State, thereby creating new jobs, stimulating significant capital investment, and promoting the general welfare of the citizens of this State, by authorizing municipalities and counties to issue sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds for the financing of STAR bond projects as defined in Section 10, and to otherwise exercise the powers and authorities granted to municipalities. It is further found and declared to be the policy of the State, in the interest of promoting the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of all the people of the State, to provide incentives to create new job opportunities and to promote major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related projects within the State. It is further found and declared:

(a) that it is in the public interest to limit the portion of the aggregate proceeds of STAR bonds issued that are derived from the State sales tax increment pledged to pay STAR bonds in any STAR bond district to not more than 50% of the total development costs in the STAR bond district as set forth in subsection (g) of Section 30;

(b) that as a result of the costs of land assemblage, financing, infrastructure, and other project costs, the private sector, without the assistance contemplated in this Act, is unable to develop major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related projects in some parts of the State;

(c) that the type of projects for which this Act is intended must be of a certain size and scope, and must be developed in a cohesive and comprehensive manner;

(d) that the eligible tracts of land are more likely to remain underutilized and undeveloped, or developed in a piecemeal manner resulting in inefficient and poorly planned developments that do not maximize job creation, job retention, and tax revenue generation within the State;

(e) that there are multiple eligible areas in the State that could benefit from this Act;

(f) that investment in major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related development within the State would stimulate economic activity in the State, including the creation and maintenance of jobs, the creation of new and lasting infrastructure and other improvements, and the attraction and retention of interstate tourists and entertainment events that generate significant economic activity;

(g) that the continual encouragement, development, growth, and expansion of major tourism, entertainment, retail, and related projects within the State requires a cooperative and continuous partnership between government and the private sector;

(h) that the State has a responsibility to help create a favorable climate for new and improved job opportunities for its citizens and to increase the tax base of the State and its political subdivisions by encouraging development by the private sector of major retail within the State;

(i) that the provision of additional incentives by the State and its political subdivisions will relieve conditions of unemployment, maintain existing levels of employment, create new job opportunities, retain jobs within the State, increase commerce within the State, and increase the tax base of the State and its political subdivisions;

(j) that the powers conferred by this Act promote and protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the State, and are for a public purpose and public use for which public money and resources may be expended; and

(k) that the necessity in the public interest for the provisions of this Act is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Base year" means the calendar year immediately prior to the calendar year in which the Office of the Governor approves the first STAR bond project within the STAR bond district.

"Commence work" means the manifest commencement of actual operations on the development site, such as, erecting a building, general on-site and off-site grading and utility installations, commencing design and construction documentation, ordering lead-time materials, excavating the ground to lay a foundation or a basement, or work of like description which a reasonable person would recognize as being done with the intention and purpose to continue work until the project is completed.

"Corporate authority" means the county board of a county, the city council of a city, or the board of trustees of a village or incorporated town.

"Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Underserved Area" means any underserved area as defined in Section 5-5 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act.

"De minimis" means an amount less than 15% of the land area within a STAR bond district.

"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity of the State of Illinois.

"Department of Revenue" means the Department of Revenue of the State of Illinois.

"Development user" means an owner, operator, licensee, co-developer, sub-developer, or tenant (i) that operates a business within a STAR bond district that is a retail store, hotel, or entertainment venue; (ii) that at the time of opening does not have another Illinois location within a 30-mile radius; and (iii) that makes an initial capital investment, including project costs and other direct costs, of not less than $30,000,000 for such retail store, hotel, or entertainment venue.

"Destination hotel" means a hotel (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act) complex having at least 150 guest rooms and which also includes a venue for entertainment attractions, rides, or other activities oriented toward the entertainment and amusement of its guests and other patrons.

"Developer" means any individual, corporation, trust, estate, partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or other entity. The term does not include a not-for-profit entity, political subdivision, or other agency or instrumentality of the State.

"Director" means the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Economic development region" means the counties encompassed within one of the ten economic development regions recognized by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Eligible area" means any area that (i) is contiguous and includes only parcels of real property directly and substantially benefited by the proposed STAR bond district plan, (ii) includes parcels located within a DCEO Underserved Area, (iii) is located at least 50 miles from any existing STAR bond district established under this Act or under the Innovation Development and Economy Act, (iv) is located in an area with not less than 10,000 residents within a one-mile radius of the proposed district, and (v) is 15 miles or less from either a state or federal interstate highway. The area may be bisected by streets, highways, roads, alleys, railways, bike paths, streams, rivers, and other waterways and still be deemed contiguous. For an area to be an eligible area, the governing body of the political subdivision must find that:

(1) the use, condition, and character of the buildings in the district are not consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 5;

(2) a STAR bond district within the area is expected to create or retain job opportunities within the political subdivision;

(3) a STAR bond district within the area will serve to further the development of adjacent areas;

(4) without the availability of STAR bonds, the projects described in the STAR bond district plan would not be possible in the area;

(5) a STAR bond district will strengthen the commercial sector of the political subdivision;

(6) a STAR bond district will enhance the tax base of the political subdivision; and

(7) the formation of a STAR bond district is in the best interest of the political subdivision.

These findings are subject to the review process provided in Section 15(d) and (e).

"Entertainment venue" means a business that has a primary use of providing a venue for entertainment attractions, rides, or other activities oriented toward the entertainment and amusement of its patrons.

"Feasibility study" means a feasibility study as defined in subsection (b) of Section 20.

"Hotel" has the same meaning as provided in Section 2 of the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act.

"Infrastructure" means the public improvements and private improvements that serve the public purposes set forth in Section 5 of this Act and that benefit the STAR bond district or any STAR bond projects, including, but not limited to, streets, drives and driveways, traffic and directional signs and signals, parking lots and parking facilities, interchanges, highways, sidewalks, bridges, underpasses and overpasses, bike and walking trails, sanitary storm sewers and lift stations, drainage conduits, channels, levees, canals, storm water detention and retention facilities, utilities and utility connections, water mains and extensions, and street and parking lot lighting and connections.

"Local sales taxes" means any locally-imposed taxes received by a municipality, county, or other local governmental entity arising from sales by retailers and servicemen within a STAR bond district, including business district sales taxes and STAR bond occupation taxes, and that portion of the net revenue realized under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act from transactions at places of business located within a STAR bond district allocated from the Local Government Tax Fund and the County and Mass Transit District Fund. For the purpose of this Act, "local sales taxes" does not include (i) any taxes authorized pursuant to the Local Mass Transit District Act or the Metro-East Park and Recreation District Act for so long as the applicable taxing district does not impose a tax on real property, (ii) county school facility and resources occupation taxes imposed pursuant to Section 5-1006.7 of the Counties Code, (iii) any taxes authorized under the Flood Prevention District Act, or (iv) any taxes authorized under the Special County Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Transportation Law. "Local sales tax increment" means, except as otherwise provided in this Section, with respect to local sales taxes administered by the Department of Revenue, (i) except with respect to the 0.25% county portion of the 6.25% State rate, all of the local sales tax paid by taxpayers in the district that is in excess of the aggregate local sales tax paid by taxpayers in the district for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, (ii) with respect to the 0.25% county portion of the 6.25% State rate, in the case of a STAR bond district that is partially or wholly within a municipality, that portion of the 0.25% county portion of the 6.25% rate paid by taxpayers in the district for sales made within the corporate limits of the municipality that is in excess of the aggregate local sales tax paid by taxpayers in the district for sales made within the corporate limits of the municipality for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, but only if the corporate authorities of the county adopt an ordinance, and file a copy with the Department of Revenue within the same time frames as required for STAR bond occupation taxes under Section 31, that designates the taxes referenced in this clause (ii) as part of the local sales tax increment under this Act. "Local sales tax increment" means, with respect to local sales taxes administered by a municipality, county, or other unit of local government, that portion of the local sales tax that is in excess of the aggregate local sales tax in the district for the same month in the base year, as determined by the respective municipality, county, or other unit of local government. The Department of Revenue shall allocate the local sales tax increment only if the local sales tax is administered by the Department.

"Local sales tax increment" means, with respect to local sales taxes administered by the Department of Revenue, (i) all of the local sales tax paid by destination users, destination hotels, and entertainment users that is in excess of the local sales tax paid by destination users, destination hotels, and entertainment users for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, (ii) in the case of a municipality forming a STAR bond district that is wholly within the corporate boundaries of the municipality and in the case of a municipality and county forming a STAR bond district that is only partially within such municipality, that portion of the local sales tax paid by taxpayers that are not destination users, destination hotels, or entertainment users that is in excess of the local sales tax paid by taxpayers that are not destination users, destination hotels, or entertainment users for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, and (iii) in the case of a county in which a STAR bond district is formed that is wholly within a municipality, that portion of the local sales tax paid by taxpayers that are not destination users, destination hotels, or entertainment users that is in excess of the local sales tax paid by taxpayers that are not destination users, destination hotels, or entertainment users for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, but only if the corporate authorities of the county adopts an ordinance, and files a copy with the Department within the same time frames as required for STAR bond occupation taxes under Section 31, that designates the taxes referenced in this clause (iii) as part of the local sales tax increment under this Act. "Local sales tax increment" means, with respect to local sales taxes administered by a municipality, county, or other unit of local government, that portion of the local sales tax that is in excess of the local sales tax for the same month in the base year, as determined by the respective municipality, county, or other unit of local government. If any portion of local sales taxes are, at the time of formation of a STAR bond district, already subject to tax increment financing under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, then the local sales tax increment for such portion shall be frozen at the base year established in accordance with this Act, and all future incremental increases shall be included in the "local sales tax increment" under this Act. Any party otherwise entitled to receipt of incremental local sales tax revenues through an existing tax increment financing district shall be entitled to continue to receive such revenues up to the amount frozen in the base year. Nothing in this Act shall affect the prior qualification of existing redevelopment project costs incurred that are eligible for reimbursement under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. In such event, prior to approving a STAR bond district, the political subdivision forming the STAR bond district shall take such action as is necessary, including amending the existing tax increment financing district redevelopment plan, to carry out the provisions of this Act. The Department of Revenue shall allocate the local sales tax increment only if the local sales tax is administered by the Department.

"Market study" means a study to determine the ability of the proposed STAR bond project to gain market share locally and regionally and to remain profitable past the term of repayment of STAR bonds.

"Master developer" means a developer cooperating with a political subdivision to plan, develop, and implement a STAR bond project plan for a STAR bond district. Subject to the limitations of Section 25, the master developer may work with and transfer certain development rights to other developers for the purpose of implementing STAR bond project plans and achieving the purposes of this Act. A master developer for a STAR bond district shall be appointed by a political subdivision in the resolution establishing the STAR bond district, and the master developer must, at the time of appointment, own or have control of, through purchase agreements, option contracts, or other means, not less than 50% of the acreage within the STAR bond district and the master developer or its affiliate must have ownership or control on June 1, 2010.

"Market study" means a study to determine the ability of the proposed STAR bond project to gain market share locally and regionally and to remain profitable past the term of repayment of STAR bonds.

"Master developer" means a developer cooperating with a political subdivision to plan, develop, and implement a STAR bond project plan for a STAR bond district. Subject to the limitations of Section 25, the master developer may work with and transfer certain development rights to other developers for the purpose of implementing STAR bond project plans and achieving the purposes of this Act. A master developer for a STAR bond district shall be appointed by a political subdivision in the resolution establishing the STAR bond district, and the master developer or its affiliate must, at the time of appointment, own or have control of, through purchase agreements, option contracts, or other means, not less than 50% of the acreage within the STAR bond district. "Master developer" also means any successor developer who has assumed the role and responsibilities of the original master developer through the execution of an amended master development agreement and has been approved as the master developer through resolution by the applicable political subdivision.

"Master development agreement" means an agreement between the master developer (or any approved successor developers) and the political subdivision to govern a STAR bond district and any STAR bond projects.

"Municipality" means the city, village, or incorporated town in which a proposed STAR bond district is located.

"Pledged STAR revenues" means those sales tax and revenues and other sources of funds pledged to pay debt service on STAR bonds or to pay project costs pursuant to Section 30. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the following revenues shall not constitute pledged STAR revenues or be available to pay principal and interest on STAR bonds: any State sales tax increment or local sales tax increment from a retail entity initiating operations in a STAR bond district while terminating operations at another Illinois location within 25 miles of the STAR bond district. For purposes of this paragraph, "terminating operations" means a closing of a retail operation that is directly related to the opening of the same operation or like retail entity owned or operated by more than 50% of the original ownership in a STAR bond district within one year before or after initiating operations in the STAR bond district, but it does not mean closing an operation for reasons beyond the control of the retail entity, as documented by the retail entity, subject to a reasonable finding by the municipality (or county if such retail operation is not located within a municipality) in which the terminated operations were located that the closed location contained inadequate space, had become economically obsolete, or was no longer a viable location for the retailer or serviceperson.

"Political subdivision" means a municipality or county which undertakes to establish a STAR bond district pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

"Project costs" means and includes the sum total of all costs incurred or estimated to be incurred on or following the date of establishment of a STAR bond district that are reasonable or necessary to implement a STAR bond district plan or any STAR bond project plans, or both, including costs incurred for public improvements and private improvements that serve the public purposes set forth in Section 5 of this Act. Such costs include without limitation the following:

(1) costs of studies, surveys, development of plans and specifications, formation, implementation, and administration of a STAR bond district, STAR bond district plan, any STAR bond projects, or any STAR bond project plans, including, but not limited to, staff and professional service costs for architectural, engineering, legal, financial, planning, or other services, provided however that no charges for professional services may be based on a percentage of the tax increment collected and no contracts for professional services, excluding architectural and engineering services, may be entered into if the terms of the contract extend beyond a period of 3 years;

(2) property assembly costs, including, but not limited to, acquisition of land and other real property or rights or interests therein, located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district, demolition of buildings, site preparation, site improvements that serve as an engineered barrier addressing ground level or below ground environmental contamination, including, but not limited to, parking lots and other concrete or asphalt barriers, the clearing and grading of land, and importing additional soil and fill materials, or removal of soil and fill materials from the site;

(3) subject to paragraph (d), costs of buildings and other vertical improvements that are located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district and owned by a political subdivision or other public entity, including without limitation police and fire stations, educational facilities, and public restrooms and rest areas;

(4) costs of buildings and other vertical improvements that are located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district and owned by a development user except that only 2 development users, other than a hotel or entertainment venue, in a STAR bond district and one hotel are eligible to include the cost of those vertical improvements as project costs;

(5) costs of buildings; rides and attractions, which include carousels, slides, roller coasters, displays, models, towers, works of art, and similar theme and amusement park improvements; and other vertical improvements that are located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district and owned by an entertainment venue; except that only one entertainment venue in a STAR bond district is eligible to include the cost of those vertical improvements as project costs;

(6) costs of the design and construction of infrastructure and public works located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district that are reasonable or necessary to implement a STAR bond district plan or any STAR bond project plans, or both, except that project costs shall not include the cost of constructing a new municipal public building principally used to provide offices, storage space, or conference facilities or vehicle storage, maintenance, or repair for administrative, public safety, or public works personnel and that is not intended to replace an existing public building unless the political subdivision makes a reasonable determination in a STAR bond district plan or any STAR bond project plans, supported by information that provides the basis for that determination, that the new municipal building is required to meet an increase in the need for public safety purposes anticipated to result from the implementation of the STAR bond district plan or any STAR bond project plans;

(7) costs of the design and construction of the following improvements located outside the boundaries of a STAR bond district, provided that the costs are essential to further the purpose and development of a STAR bond district plan and either (i) part of and connected to sewer, water, or utility service lines that physically connect to the STAR bond district or (ii) significant improvements for adjacent offsite highways, streets, roadways, and interchanges that are approved by the Department of Transportation. No other cost of infrastructure and public works improvements located outside the boundaries of a STAR bond district may be deemed project costs;

(8) costs of job training and retraining projects for current and future employees of development users, including programs implemented by businesses located within a STAR bond district;

(9) financing costs, including, but not limited to, all necessary and incidental expenses related to the issuance of obligations and which may include payment of interest on any obligations issued hereunder including interest accruing during the estimated period of construction of any improvements in a STAR bond district or any STAR bond projects for which such obligations are issued and for not exceeding 36 months thereafter and including reasonable reserves related thereto;

(10) interest cost incurred by a developer for project costs related to the acquisition, formation, implementation, development, construction, and administration of a STAR bond district, STAR bond district plan, STAR bond projects, or any STAR bond project plans provided that:

(A) payment of such costs in any one year may not exceed 30% of the annual interest costs incurred by the developer with regard to the STAR bond district or any STAR bond projects during that year; and

(B) the total of such interest payments paid pursuant to this Act may not exceed 30% of the total cost paid or incurred by the developer for a STAR bond district or STAR bond projects, plus project costs, excluding any property assembly costs incurred by a political subdivision pursuant to this Act;

(11) to the extent the political subdivision by written agreement accepts and approves the same, all or a portion of a taxing district's capital costs resulting from a STAR bond district or STAR bond projects necessarily incurred or to be incurred within a taxing district in furtherance of the objectives of a STAR bond district plan or STAR bond project plans;

(12) costs of common areas located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district;

(13) costs of landscaping and plantings, retaining walls and fences, man-made lakes and ponds, shelters, benches, lighting, and similar amenities located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district;

(14) costs of mounted building signs, site monument, and pylon signs located within the boundaries of a STAR bond district; or

(15) if included in the STAR bond district plan and approved in writing by the Director, salaries or a portion of salaries for local government employees to the extent the same are directly attributable to the work of such employees on the establishment and management of a STAR bond district or any STAR bond projects.

Except as specified in items (a) through (m), "project costs" shall not include:

(1) the cost of construction of buildings that are privately owned or owned by a municipality or county and leased to a development user for uses other than as a retail store, hotel, or entertainment venue;

(2) moving expenses for employees of the businesses locating within the STAR bond district;

(3) property taxes for property located in the STAR bond district;

(4) lobbying costs; and

(5) general overhead or administrative costs of the political subdivision that would still have been incurred by the political subdivision if the political subdivision had not established a STAR bond district.

"Project development agreement" means any one or more agreements, including any amendments thereto, between a master developer and any co-developer or subdeveloper in connection with a STAR bond project, which project development agreement may include the political subdivision as a party.

"Projected market area" means any area within the State in which a STAR bond district or STAR bond project is projected to have a significant fiscal or market impact as determined by the Director.

"Resolution" means a resolution, order, ordinance, or other appropriate form of legislative action of a political subdivision or other applicable public entity approved by a vote of a majority of a quorum at a meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision or applicable public entity.

"STAR bond" means a sales tax and revenue bond, note, or other obligation payable from pledged STAR revenues and issued by a political subdivision, the proceeds of which shall be used only to pay project costs as defined in this Act.

"STAR bond district" means the specific area declared to be an eligible area as determined by the political subdivision, and that has received approval by the State, in which the political subdivision may develop one or more STAR bond projects.

"STAR bond district plan" means the preliminary or conceptual plan that generally identifies the proposed STAR bond project areas and identifies in a general manner the buildings, facilities, and improvements to be constructed or improved in each STAR bond project area.

"STAR bond project" means a project within a STAR bond district which is approved pursuant to Section 20.

"STAR bond project area" means the geographic area within a STAR bond district in which there may be one or more STAR bond projects.

"STAR bond project plan" means the written plan adopted by a political subdivision for the development of a STAR bond project in a STAR bond district; the plan may include, but is not limited to, (i) project costs incurred prior to the date of the STAR bond project plan and estimated future STAR bond project costs, (ii) proposed sources of funds to pay those costs, (iii) the nature and estimated term of any obligations to be issued by the political subdivision to pay those costs, (iv) the most recent equalized assessed valuation of the STAR bond project area, (v) an estimate of the equalized assessed valuation of the STAR bond district or applicable project area after completion of a STAR bond project, (vi) a general description of the types of any known or proposed developers, users, or tenants of the STAR bond project or projects included in the plan, (vii) a general description of the type, structure, and character of the property or facilities to be developed or improved, (viii) a description of the general land uses to apply to the STAR bond project, and (ix) a general description or an estimate of the type, class, and number of employees to be employed in the operation of the STAR bond project.

"State sales tax" means all of the net revenue realized under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act from transactions at places of business located within a STAR bond district, excluding that portion of the net revenue realized under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act from transactions at places of business located within a STAR bond district that is deposited into the Local Government Tax Fund and the County and Mass Transit District Fund.

"State sales tax increment" means (i) 100% of that portion of the aggregate State sales tax that is in excess of the aggregate State sales tax for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, from transactions at up to 2 development users located within a STAR bond district, which development users shall be designated by the master developer and approved by the political subdivision and the Director in conjunction with the applicable STAR bond project approval, and (ii) 25% of that portion of the aggregate State sales tax that is in excess of the aggregate State sales tax for the same month in the base year, as determined by the Department of Revenue, from all other transactions within a STAR bond district.

"Substantial change" means a change wherein the proposed STAR bond project plan differs substantially in size, scope, or use from the approved STAR bond district plan or STAR bond project plan.

"Taxpayer" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, estate, or other entity that is subject to the Illinois Income Tax Act.

"Taxpayer" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, estate, or other entity that is subject to the Illinois Income Tax Act.

"Total development costs" means the aggregate public and private investment in a STAR bond district, including project costs and other direct and indirect costs related to the development of the STAR bond district.

"Vacant" means that portion of the land in a proposed STAR bond district that is not occupied by a building, facility, or other vertical improvement.

Section 12. Limitations on STAR bond districts. The Office of the Governor, in consultation with the Department, shall have final approval of all STAR bond districts and STAR bond projects established under this Act, which may be established throughout the 10 Economic Development Regions in the State as established by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Regardless of the number of STAR bond districts established within any Economic Development Region, only one STAR bond project may be approved in each of the 10 Regions, excluding projects located in STAR bond districts established under the Innovation Development and Economy Act. Each STAR bond district in which a STAR bonds project has been approved may only receive 50% of the total development costs up to $75,000,000 in State sales tax increment. A STAR bond district under this Act may not be located either entirely or partially inside of a municipality with a population in excess of 2,000,000.

Section 15. Establishment of STAR bond district. The governing body of a municipality may establish a STAR bond district within an eligible area within the municipality or partially outside the boundaries of the municipality in an unincorporated area of the county. A STAR bond district which is partially outside the boundaries of the municipality must also be approved by the governing body of the county by the passage of a resolution. The governing body of a county may establish a STAR bond district in an eligible area in any unincorporated area of the county.

(a) When a political subdivision is interested in establishing a STAR bond district, the political subdivision must first provide notice to the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Director of the Department of Revenue by July 1, 2026, of its intention to establish a STAR bond district. After filing notice, the political subdivision shall determine whether it satisfies the statutory criteria to establish a STAR bond district consistent with this Act. In this regard, the governing body of the political subdivision shall adopt a resolution stating that the political subdivision is considering the establishment of a STAR bond district. The resolution shall:

(1) give notice, in the same manner as set forth in item (2) of subsection (e) of Section 20, that a public hearing will be held to consider the establishment of a STAR bond district and fix the date, hour, and place of the public hearing, which shall be at a location that is within 20 miles of the STAR bond district, in a facility that can accommodate a large crowd, and in a facility that is accessible to persons with disabilities;

(2) describe the proposed general boundaries of the STAR bond district;

(3) describe the STAR bond district plan;

(4) require that a description and map of the proposed STAR bond district are available for inspection at a time and place designated;

(5) identify the master developer for the STAR bond district; and

(6) require that the governing body consider findings necessary for the establishment of a STAR bond district.

(b) Upon the conclusion of the public hearing the governing body of the political subdivision may consider a resolution to establish the STAR bond district.

(1) A resolution to establish a STAR bond district shall:

(A) make findings that the proposed STAR bond district is to be developed with a STAR bond project;

(B) make findings that the STAR bond district is an eligible area;

(C) contain a STAR bond district plan that identifies in a general manner the buildings and facilities that are proposed to be constructed or improved in the subsequent STAR bond project and that includes plans for at least one development user;

(D) contain the legal description of the STAR bond district;

(E) appoint the master developer for the STAR bond district; and

(F) establish the STAR bonds district, contingent upon approval of the State as set forth in subsection (d).

The master developer appointed for the STAR bond district shall meet high standards of creditworthiness and financial strength as demonstrated by one or more of the following: (i) corporate debenture ratings of BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Baa or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; (ii) a letter from a financial institution with assets of $10,000,000 or more attesting to the financial strength of the master developer; or (iii) specific evidence of equity financing for not less than 10% of the estimated total STAR bond project costs;

(2) If the resolution to establish a STAR bond district is not adopted by the political subdivision within 60 days from the conclusion of the public hearing, then the STAR bond district shall not be established.

(3) Upon adoption of a resolution to establish a STAR bond district, the political subdivision shall send a certified copy of such resolution to the Director and the Director of the Department of Revenue within 60 days of the adoption of the resolution.

(c) Upon adoption of a resolution to establish a STAR bond district, the STAR bond district and any STAR bond project shall be governed by a master development agreement between the political subdivision and the master developer. A STAR bond district that is partially outside the boundaries of a municipality shall only require one master development agreement; the agreement shall be between the municipality and the master developer. In no event shall there be more than one master development agreement governing the terms and conditions of a STAR bond district. The master development agreement shall require the master developer to ensure compliance with the following requirements to reduce the ecological impact of the STAR bond district development: (i) inclusion of pollution prevention, erosion, and sedimentation control plans during construction; (ii) protection of endangered species' habitat and wetlands mitigation; (iii) preservation of at least 20% of the STAR bond district as green space, including lawns, parks, landscaped areas, paths, lakes, ponds, and other water features; (iv) promotion of the use of renewable energy to the extent commercially feasible; (v) implementation of recycling programs during construction and at completed STAR bond projects; (vi) preservation of water quality and promotion of water conservation through the use of techniques such as reusing storm water and landscaping with native and low-maintenance vegetation to reduce the need for irrigation and fertilization; (vii) inclusion of comprehensive lighting programs that reduce light pollution within the STAR bond district; and (viii) promotion of shared parking between different users to reduce the impact on project sites.

(d) Upon adoption of a resolution to establish a STAR bond district, the political subdivision shall submit the proposed STAR bond district plan to the Director for consideration. All proposed STAR bond district plans must be submitted to the Director on or before July 1, 2027 for consideration. The Director shall make a recommendation to approve a STAR bond district if the Director finds that: (i) the proposed STAR bond district is an eligible area, (ii) the STAR bond district plan includes a STAR bond project that would entail a projected capital investment of at least $30,000,000, (iii) the STAR bond district plan includes a STAR bond project that would be reasonably projected to produce at least $60,000,000 of annual gross sales revenues and 300 new jobs, (iv) the STAR bond district plan includes potential development users, (v) the creation of the STAR bond district and STAR bond district plan are in accordance with the purpose of this Act and the public interest, and (vi) the STAR bond district and STAR bond district plan meet any other requirement that the Director deems appropriate. The Director shall send a copy of its written findings and recommendation for approval or denial of a STAR bond district to the Office of the Governor for review and final action.

(e) Upon receipt of the Director's written findings and recommendation, the Office of the Governor shall review the submission and issue a final approval or denial of the STAR bond district and send written notice of its approval or denial to the requesting political subdivision.

(f) Starting on the fifth anniversary of the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the approved STAR bond project in the STAR bond district and continuing each anniversary thereafter, the Director shall, in consultation with the political subdivision and the master developer, determine the total number of new jobs created within the STAR bond district, the total development cost to date, and the master developer's compliance with its obligations under any written agreements with the State. If, on the fifth anniversary of the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the approved STAR bond project in the STAR bond district, the Director determines that the total development cost to date is not equal to or greater than $30,000,000, or that the master developer is in breach of any written agreement with the State, then no new STAR bonds may be issued in the STAR bond district until the total development cost exceeds $30,000,000 or the breach of agreement is cured, or both. If, on the fifth anniversary of the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the approved STAR bond project in the STAR bond district, there are not at least 300 new jobs existing in the STAR bond district, the State may require the master developer to pay the State a penalty of $1,500 per job under 300 each year until the earlier of (i) the twenty-third anniversary of the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the approved STAR bond project in the STAR bond district, (ii) the date that all STAR bonds issued in the STAR bond district have been paid off, or (iii) the date that at least 300 jobs have been created in the STAR bond district. Upon creation of 300 jobs in the STAR bond district, there shall not be an ongoing obligation to maintain those jobs after the fifth anniversary of the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the approved STAR bond project in the STAR bond district, and the master developer shall be relieved of any liability with respect to job creation under this subsection. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, the master developer shall not be liable for the penalties set forth under this subsection if the breach of agreement, failure to reach at least $30,000,000 in total development costs, or failure to create 300 jobs is due to delays caused by force majeure, as that term shall be defined in the master development agreement.

Section 20. Approval of STAR bond projects. The Director may only recommend the approval of one STAR bond project per Economic Development Region regardless of the total number of approved STAR bond districts located within a Region. The governing body of a political subdivision seeking to establish a STAR bond project in an approved STAR bond district must submit a proposed STAR bond project plan to the Director within 18 months of receiving approval of a STAR bond district. A STAR bond project which is partially outside the boundaries of a municipality must also be approved by the governing body of the county by resolution.

(a) After the establishment of a STAR bond district, the master developer may propose a STAR bond project to a political subdivision and the master developer shall, in cooperation with the political subdivision, prepare a STAR bond project plan in consultation with the planning commission of the political subdivision, if any. The STAR bond project plan may be implemented in separate development stages.

(b) Any political subdivision considering a STAR bond project within a STAR bond district shall notify the Department, which shall cause to be prepared an independent feasibility study by a feasibility consultant with certified copies provided to the political subdivision, the Director, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. The feasibility study shall include the following:

(1) the estimated amount of pledged STAR revenues expected to be collected in each year through the maturity date of the proposed STAR bonds;

(2) a statement of how the jobs and taxes obtained from the STAR bond project will contribute significantly to the economic development of the State and region;

(3) visitation expectations;

(4) the unique quality of the project;

(5) an economic impact study;

(6) a market study;

(7) current and anticipated infrastructure analysis;

(8) integration and collaboration with other resources or businesses;

(9) the quality of service and experience provided, as measured against national consumer standards for the specific target market;

(10) project accountability, measured according to best industry practices;

(11) the expected return on State and local investment that the STAR bond project is anticipated to produce; and

(12) an anticipated principal and interest payment schedule on the STAR bonds.

The feasibility consultant, along with any other consultants commissioned to perform the studies and other analysis required by the feasibility study, shall be selected by the Director. The consultants shall be retained by the Director. The political subdivision must reimburse the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the costs of the feasibility study before the Director's recommendation may be transmitted to the Governor. The political subdivision may seek reimbursement from the master developer.

The failure to include all information enumerated in this subsection in the feasibility study for a STAR bond project shall not affect the validity of STAR bonds issued pursuant to this Act.

(c) If the political subdivision determines the STAR bond project is feasible, the STAR bond project plan shall include:

(1) a summary of the feasibility study;

(2) a reference to the STAR bond district plan that identifies the STAR bond project area that is set forth in the STAR bond project plan that is being considered;

(3) a legal description and map of the STAR bond project area to be developed or redeveloped;

(4) a description of the buildings and facilities proposed to be constructed or improved in such STAR bond project area, including development users, as applicable;

(5) a copy of letters of intent to locate within the STAR bond district signed by both the master developer and the appropriate corporate officer of at least one development user for the STAR bond project proposed within the district; and

(6) any other information the governing body of the political subdivision deems reasonable and necessary to advise the public of the intent of the STAR bond project plan.

(d) Before a political subdivision may hold a public hearing to consider a STAR bond project plan, the political subdivision must apply to the Department for its review and recommendation and ultimate approval or denial by the Office of the Governor of the STAR bond project plan. The governing body of a political subdivision seeking to establish a STAR bond project in an approved STAR bond district must submit a proposed STAR bond project plan to the Department within 18 months of receiving approval of a STAR bond district for consideration.

An application for approval of a STAR bond project plan must not be approved by the State unless all of the components of the feasibility study set forth in items (1) through (12) of subsection (b) have been completed and submitted to the Department for review and recommendation for approval or denial. In addition to reviewing all of the other elements of the STAR bond project plan required under subsection (c), which must be included in the application (which plan must include a letter or letters of intent as required under subdivision (c)(5) in order to receive State approval), the Director must review the feasibility study and consider all of the components of the feasibility study set forth in items (1) through (12) of subsection (b) of Section 20, including without limitation the economic impact study and the financial benefit of the proposed STAR bond project to the local, regional, and State economies, the proposed adverse impacts on similar businesses and projects as well as municipalities within the market area, and the net effect of the proposed STAR bond project on the local, regional, and State economies. In addition to the economic impact study, the political subdivision must also submit to the Department, as part of its application, the financial and other information that substantiates the basis for the conclusion of the economic impact study, in the form and manner as required by the Department, so that the Department can verify the results of the study. In addition to any other criteria in this subsection, for the State to approve the STAR bond project plan, the Director must be satisfied that the proposed development users are in fact true development users and find that the STAR bond project plan is in accordance with the purpose of this Act and the public interest. As part of its review, the Department shall consult with the Department of Revenue regarding the conclusions of the feasibility study as it relates to the projected State and local sales tax increments expected to be generated in the STAR bond district. The Director shall recommend the approval of up to one STAR bond project plan per Economic Development Region based on the criteria in this subsection, subject to an aggregate limitation on State sales tax increment of $75,000,000 per Economic Development Region. The Director shall send a copy of its written findings and recommended approval or denial of a STAR bond project plan to the Office of the Governor for final action. Upon receipt of the Director's written findings and recommendation, the Office of the Governor shall issue a final approval or denial of up to one STAR bond project plan per Economic Development Region based on the criteria in this subsection, subject to an aggregate limitation on State sales tax increment of $75,000,000 per Economic Development Region and send a written approval or denial to the requesting political subdivision. In granting its approval, the Office of the Governor may require the political subdivision to execute a binding agreement or memorandum of understanding with the State. The terms of the agreement or memorandum may include, among other things, the political subdivision's repayment of the State sales tax increment distributed to it should any violation of the agreement or memorandum or this Act occur.

(e) Upon a finding by the planning and zoning commission of the political subdivision, if any, that the STAR bond project plan is consistent with the intent of the comprehensive plan for the development of the political subdivision and upon issuance of written approval of the STAR bond project plan from the Office of the Governor pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section 20, the governing body of the political subdivision shall adopt a resolution stating that the political subdivision is considering the adoption of the STAR bond project plan. The resolution shall:

(1) give notice that a public hearing will be held to consider the adoption of the STAR bond project plan and fix the date, hour, and place of the public hearing;

(2) describe the general boundaries of the STAR bond district within which the STAR bond project will be located and the date of establishment of the STAR bond district;

(3) describe the general boundaries of the area proposed to be included within the STAR bond project area;

(4) provide that the STAR bond project plan and map of the area to be redeveloped or developed are available for inspection during regular office hours in the offices of the political subdivision; and

(5) contain a summary of the terms and conditions of any proposed project development agreement with the political subdivision.

(f) A public hearing shall be conducted to consider the adoption of any STAR bond project plan.

(1) The date fixed for the public hearing to consider the adoption of the STAR bond project plan shall be not less than 20 nor more than 90 days following the date of the adoption of the resolution fixing the date of the hearing.

(2) A copy of the political subdivision's resolution providing for the public hearing shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the governing body of the county. A copy of the political subdivision's resolution providing for the public hearing shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to each person or persons in whose name the general taxes for the last preceding year were paid on each parcel of land lying within the proposed STAR bond project area within 10 days following the date of the adoption of the resolution. The resolution shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision not less than one week nor more than 3 weeks preceding the date fixed for the public hearing. A map or aerial photo clearly delineating the area of land proposed to be included within the STAR bond project area shall be published with the resolution.

(3) The hearing shall be held at a location that is within 20 miles of the STAR bond district, in a facility that can accommodate a large crowd, and in a facility that is accessible to persons with disabilities.

(4) At the public hearing, a representative of the political subdivision or master developer shall present the STAR bond project plan. Following the presentation of the STAR bond project plan, all interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard. The governing body may continue the date and time of the public hearing.

(g) Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the governing body of the political subdivision may adopt the STAR bond project plan by a resolution approving the STAR bond project plan.

(h) After the adoption by the corporate authorities of the political subdivision of a STAR bond project plan, the political subdivision may enter into a project development agreement if the master developer has requested the political subdivision to be a party to the project development agreement pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 25.

(i) Within 30 days after the adoption by the political subdivision of a STAR bond project plan, the clerk of the political subdivision shall transmit a copy of the legal description of the land and a list of all new and existing mailing addresses within the STAR bond district, a copy of the resolution adopting the STAR bond project plan, and a map or plat indicating the boundaries of the STAR bond project area and STAR bond district to the clerk, treasurer, and governing body of the county and to the Department and Department of Revenue. Within 30 days of creation of any new mailing addresses within a STAR bond district, the clerk of the political subdivision shall provide written notice of such new addresses to the Department and the Department of Revenue.

If a certified copy of the resolution adopting the STAR bond project plan is filed with the Department of Revenue on or before the first day of April, the Department of Revenue, if all other requirements of this subsection are met, shall proceed to collect and allocate any local sales tax increment and any State sales tax increment in accordance with the provisions of this Act as of the first day of July next following the adoption and filing. If a certified copy of the resolution adopting the STAR bond project plan is filed with the Department of Revenue after April 1 but on or before the first day of October, the Department of Revenue, if all other requirements of this subsection are met, shall proceed to collect and allocate any local sales tax increment and any State sales tax increment in accordance with the provisions of this Act as of the first day of January next following the adoption and filing.

Any substantial changes to a STAR bond project plan as adopted shall be subject to a public hearing following publication of notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision and approval by resolution of the governing body of the political subdivision.

The Department of Revenue shall not collect or allocate any local sales tax increment or State sales tax increment until the political subdivision also provides, in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue, the boundaries of the STAR bond district and each address in the STAR bond district in such a way that the Department of Revenue can determine by its address whether a business is located in the STAR bond district. The political subdivision must provide this boundary and address information to the Department of Revenue, with a copy to the Department, on or before April 1 for administration and enforcement under this Act by the Department of Revenue beginning on the following July 1 and on or before October 1 for administration and enforcement under this Act by the Department of Revenue beginning on the following January 1. The Department of Revenue shall not administer or enforce any change made to the boundaries of a STAR bond district or any address change, addition, or deletion until the political subdivision reports the boundary change or address change, addition, or deletion to the Department of Revenue, with a copy to the Department, in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The political subdivision must provide this boundary change or address change, addition, or deletion information to the Department of Revenue, with a copy to the Department, on or before April 1 for administration and enforcement by the Department of Revenue of the change, addition, or deletion beginning on the following July 1 and on or before October 1 for administration and enforcement by the Department of Revenue of the change, addition, or deletion beginning on the following January 1. If a retailer is incorrectly included or excluded from the list of those located in the STAR bond district, the Department of Revenue shall be held harmless if it reasonably relied on information provided by the political subdivision.

(j) Any STAR bond project must be approved by the political subdivision prior to that date which is 23 years from the date of the approval of the STAR bond district, provided however that any amendments to such STAR bond project may occur following such date.

(k) Any developer of a STAR bond project shall commence work on the STAR bond project within 3 years from the date of adoption of the STAR bond project plan. If the developer fails to commence work on the STAR bond project within the 3-year period, funding for the project shall cease and the developer of the project or complex shall have one year to appeal to the political subdivision for a one-time reapproval of the project and funding. If the project is reapproved, the 3-year period for commencement shall begin again on the date of the reapproval. If the project is not reapproved or if the developer again fails to commence work on the STAR bond project within the second 3-year period, the project shall be terminated, and the Department may accept applications for a new STAR bond project in the Economic Development Region.

(l) After the adoption by the corporate authorities of the political subdivision of a STAR bond project plan and approval of the Office of the Governor pursuant to subsection (d), the political subdivision may authorize the issuance of STAR bonds in one or more series to finance the STAR bond project in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(m) The maximum maturity of STAR bonds issued to finance a STAR bond project shall not exceed 23 years from the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from such STAR bond project to the political subdivision unless the political subdivision extends such maturity by resolution up to a maximum of 35 years from such first distribution date. Any such extension shall require the approval of the Office of the Governor, upon the recommendation of the Director, after consultation with the Department of Revenue and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. In no event shall the maximum maturity date for any STAR bonds exceed that date which is 35 years from the first distribution date of the first STAR bonds issued in a STAR bond district.

Section 25. Co-developers and sub-developers. Upon approval of a STAR bond project by the political subdivision, the master developer may, subject to the approval of the State and the political subdivision, develop the STAR bond project on its own or it may develop the STAR bond project with another developer, which may include an assignment or transfer of development rights.

(a) A master developer may sell, lease, or otherwise convey its property interest in the STAR bond project area to a co-developer or sub-developer.

(b) A master developer may enter into one or more agreements with a co-developer or sub-developer in connection with a STAR bond project, and the master developer may request that the political subdivision become a party to the project development agreement, or the master developer may request that the political subdivision amend its master development agreement to provide for certain terms and conditions that may be related to the co-developer or sub-developer and the STAR bond project. For any project development agreement which the political subdivision would be a party or for any amendments to the master development agreement, the terms and conditions must be acceptable to both the master developer and the political subdivision. The Director shall receive a copy of the master development agreement and any amendments.

Section 30. STAR bonds; source of payment. Any political subdivision shall have the power to issue STAR bonds in one or more series to finance the undertaking of any STAR bond project in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Omnibus Bond Acts. STAR bonds may be issued as revenue bonds, alternate bonds, or general obligation bonds as defined in and subject to the procedures provided in the Local Government Debt Reform Act.

(a) STAR bonds may be made payable, both as to principal and interest, from the following revenues, which to the extent pledged by each respective political subdivision or other public entity for such purpose shall constitute pledged STAR revenues:

(1) revenues of the political subdivision derived from or held in connection with the undertaking and carrying out of any STAR bond project or projects under this Act;

(2) available private funds and contributions, grants, tax credits, or other financial assistance from the State or federal government;

(3) STAR bond occupation taxes created pursuant to Section 31 and designated as pledged STAR revenues by the political subdivision;

(4) all of the local sales tax increment of a municipality, county, or other unit of local government;

(5) any special service area taxes collected within the STAR bond district under the Special Service Area Tax Act, may be used for the purposes of funding project costs or paying debt service on STAR bonds in addition to the purposes contained in the special service area plan;

(6) all of the State sales tax increment;

(7) any other revenues appropriated by the political subdivision; and

(8) any combination of these methods.

(b) The political subdivision may pledge the pledged STAR revenues to the repayment of STAR bonds prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequent to the issuance of the STAR bonds.

(c) Bonds issued as revenue bonds shall not be general obligations of the political subdivision, nor in any event shall they give rise to a charge against its general credit or taxing powers, or be payable out of any funds or properties other than those set forth in subsection (a) and the bonds shall so state on their face.

(d) For each STAR bond project financed with STAR bonds payable from the pledged STAR revenues, the political subdivision shall prepare and submit to the Department, the Department of Revenue, the Office of the Governor, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget by June 1 of each year a report describing the status of the STAR bond project, any expenditures of the proceeds of STAR bonds that have occurred for the preceding calendar year, and any expenditures of the proceeds of the bonds expected to occur in the future, including the amount of pledged STAR revenue, the amount of revenue that has been spent, the projected amount of the revenue, and the anticipated use of the revenue. Each annual report shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the master developer certifying the contents of the report as true to the best of the master developer's knowledge. The Department shall have the right, but not the obligation, to request the Auditor General to review the annual report and the political subdivision's records containing the source information for the report for the purpose of verifying the report's contents. If the Auditor General declines the request for review, the Department shall have the right to select an independent third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the annual report and the political subdivision's records containing the source information for the report. The reasonable cost of the audit shall be paid by the master developer. The master development agreement shall grant the Department and the Auditor General the right to review the records of the political subdivision containing the source information for the report.

(e) As soon as possible after the first day of each month, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred, and the Treasurer shall transfer, from the General Revenue Fund to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund the State sales tax increment for the second preceding month, less 3% of that amount, which shall be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund and shall be used by the Department of Revenue, subject to appropriation, to cover the costs of the Department of Revenue in administering the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy Act. As soon as possible after the first day of each month, upon certification of the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall order transferred, and the Treasurer shall transfer, from the Local Government Tax Fund to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund the local sales tax increment for the second preceding month, as provided in Section 6z-18 of the State Finance Act and from the County and Mass Transit District Fund to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund the local sales tax increment for the second preceding month, as provided in Section 6z-20 of the State Finance Act. On or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the Department of Revenue shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller the disbursement of stated sums of money out of the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund to named municipalities and counties, the municipalities and counties to be those entitled to distribution of taxes or penalties paid to the Department of Revenue during the second preceding calendar month. The amount to be paid to each municipality or county shall be the amount of the State sales tax increment and the local sales tax increment (not including credit memoranda or the amount transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund) collected during the second preceding calendar month by the Department of Revenue from retailers and servicepersons on transactions at places of business located within a STAR bond district in that municipality or county, plus an amount the Department of Revenue determines is necessary to offset any amounts which were erroneously paid to a different taxing body, and not including an amount equal to the amount of refunds made during the second preceding calendar month by the Department of Revenue, and not including any amount which the Department of Revenue determines is necessary to offset any amounts which are payable to a different taxing body but were erroneously paid to the municipality or county. Within 10 days after receipt by the Comptroller of the disbursement certification to the municipalities and counties, provided for in this Section to be given to the Comptroller by the Department of Revenue, the Comptroller shall cause the orders to be drawn for the respective amounts in accordance with the directions contained in such certification. When certifying the amount of monthly disbursement to a municipality or county under this subsection, the Department of Revenue shall increase or decrease that amount by an amount necessary to offset any misallocation of previous disbursements. The offset amount shall be the amount erroneously disbursed within the 6 months preceding the time a misallocation is discovered.

(f) The corporate authorities of the political subdivision shall deposit the proceeds for the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund into a special fund of the political subdivision called the "[Name of political subdivision] STAR Bond District Revenue Fund" for the purpose of paying or reimbursing STAR bond project costs and obligations incurred in the payment of those costs. If the political subdivision fails to issue STAR bonds within 180 days after the first distribution to the political subdivision from the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund, the Department of Revenue shall cease distribution of the State sales tax increment to the political subdivision, shall transfer any State sales tax increment in the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund to the General Revenue Fund, and shall cease deposits of State sales tax increment amounts into the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund. The political subdivision shall repay all of the State sales tax increment distributed to the political subdivision to date, which amounts shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. If not repaid within 90 days after notice from the State, the Department of Revenue shall withhold distributions to the political subdivision from the Local Government Tax Fund until the excess amount is repaid, which withheld amounts shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund. At such time as the political subdivision notifies the Department of Revenue in writing that it has issued STAR Bonds in accordance with this Act and provides the Department with a copy of the political subdivision's official statement, bond purchase agreements, indenture, or other evidence of bond sale, the Department of Revenue shall resume deposits of the State sales tax increment into the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund and distribution of the State sales tax increment to the political subdivision in accordance with this Section.

(g) If at any time after the seventh anniversary of the date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the STAR bond project in the STAR bond district the Auditor General determines that the portion of the aggregate proceeds of STAR bonds issued to date that is derived from the State sales tax increment pledged to pay STAR bonds in the STAR bond district has exceeded 50% of the total development costs in the STAR bond district, no additional STAR bonds may be issued in the STAR bond district until the percentage is reduced to 50% or below. When the percentage has been reduced to 50% or below, the master developer shall have the right, at its own cost, to obtain a new audit prepared by an independent third-party auditor verifying compliance and shall provide such audit to the Auditor General for review and approval. Upon the Auditor General's determination from the audit that the percentage has been reduced to 50% or below, STAR bonds may again be issued in the STAR bond district.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, if any portion of property taxes attributable to the increase in equalized assessed value within a STAR bond district are, at the time of formation of the STAR bond district, already subject to tax increment financing under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, then the tax increment for such portion shall be frozen at the base year established in accordance with this Act, and all future incremental increases over the base year shall not be subject to tax increment financing under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. Any party otherwise entitled to receipt of incremental tax revenues through an existing tax increment financing district shall be entitled to continue to receive such revenues up to the amount frozen in the base year. Nothing in this Act shall affect the prior qualification of existing redevelopment project costs incurred that are eligible for reimbursement under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. In such event, prior to approving a STAR bond district, the political subdivision forming the STAR bond district shall take such action as is necessary, including amending the existing tax increment financing district redevelopment plan, to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Section 31. STAR bond occupation taxes.

(a) If the corporate authorities of a political subdivision have established a STAR bond district and have elected to impose a tax by ordinance pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this Section, each year after the date of the adoption of the ordinance and until all STAR bond project costs and all political subdivision obligations financing the STAR bond project costs, if any, have been paid in accordance with the STAR bond project plans, but in no event longer than the maximum maturity date of the last of the STAR bonds issued for projects in the STAR bond district, all amounts generated by the retailers' occupation tax and service occupation tax shall be collected and the tax shall be enforced by the Department of Revenue in the same manner as all retailers' occupation taxes and service occupation taxes imposed in the political subdivision imposing the tax. The corporate authorities of the political subdivision shall deposit the proceeds of the taxes imposed under subsections (b) and (c) into either (i) a special fund held by the corporate authorities of the political subdivision called the STAR Bonds Tax Allocation Fund for the purpose of paying STAR bond project costs and obligations incurred in the payment of those costs if such taxes are designated as pledged STAR revenues by resolution or ordinance of the political subdivision or (ii) the political subdivision's general corporate fund if such taxes are not designated as pledged STAR revenues by resolution or ordinance.

The tax imposed under this Section by a municipality may be imposed only on the portion of a STAR bond district that is within the boundaries of the municipality. For any part of a STAR bond district that lies outside of the boundaries of that municipality, the municipality in which the other part of the STAR bond district lies (or the county, in cases where a portion of the STAR bond district lies in the unincorporated area of a county) is authorized to impose the tax under this Section on that part of the STAR bond district.

(b) The corporate authorities of a political subdivision that has established a STAR bond district under this Act may, by ordinance or resolution, impose a STAR Bond Retailers' Occupation Tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property, other than an item of tangible personal property titled or registered with an agency of this State's government, at retail in the STAR bond district at a rate not to exceed 1% of the gross receipts from the sales made in the course of that business, to be imposed only in 0.25% increments. The tax may not be imposed on tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. The tax may not be imposed on aviation fuel for so long as the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133 are binding on the political subdivision.

The tax imposed under this subsection and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. The certificate of registration that is issued by the Department of Revenue to a retailer under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act shall permit the retailer to engage in a business that is taxable under any ordinance or resolution enacted pursuant to this subsection without registering separately with the Department of Revenue under such ordinance or resolution or under this subsection. The Department of Revenue shall have full power to administer and enforce this subsection, to collect all taxes and penalties due under this subsection in the manner hereinafter provided, and to determine all rights to credit memoranda arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty under this subsection. In the administration of, and compliance with, this subsection, the Department of Revenue and persons who are subject to this subsection shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions, and definitions of terms and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 1, 1a through 1o, 2 through 2-65 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax), 2c through 2h, 3 (except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected), 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and all provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

If a tax is imposed under this subsection (b), a tax shall also be imposed under subsection (c) of this Section.

(c) If a tax has been imposed under subsection (b), a STAR Bond Service Occupation Tax shall also be imposed upon all persons engaged, in the STAR bond district, in the business of making sales of service, who, as an incident to making those sales of service, transfer tangible personal property within the STAR bond district, either in the form of tangible personal property or in the form of real estate as an incident to a sale of service. The tax shall be imposed at the same rate as the tax imposed in subsection (b) and shall not exceed 1% of the selling price of tangible personal property so transferred within the STAR bond district, to be imposed only in 0.25% increments. The tax may not be imposed on tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Service Occupation Tax Act. The tax may not be imposed on aviation fuel for so long as the revenue use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47107(b) and 49 U.S.C. 47133 are binding on the political subdivision.

The tax imposed under this subsection and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident thereof shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. The certificate of registration that is issued by the Department of Revenue to a retailer under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act or under the Service Occupation Tax Act shall permit the registrant to engage in a business that is taxable under any ordinance or resolution enacted pursuant to this subsection without registering separately with the Department of Revenue under that ordinance or resolution or under this subsection. The Department of Revenue shall have full power to administer and enforce this subsection, to collect all taxes and penalties due under this subsection, to dispose of taxes and penalties so collected in the manner hereinafter provided, and to determine all rights to credit memoranda arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty under this subsection. In the administration of, and compliance with this subsection, the Department of Revenue and persons who are subject to this subsection shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties, exclusions, exemptions, and definitions of terms and employ the same modes of procedure as are prescribed in Sections 2, 2a through 2d, 3 through 3-50 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax), 4 (except that the reference to the State shall be to the STAR bond district), 5, 7, 8 (except that the jurisdiction to which the tax shall be a debt to the extent indicated in that Section 8 shall be the political subdivision), 9 (except as to the disposition of taxes and penalties collected, and except that the returned merchandise credit for this tax may not be taken against any State tax), 10, 11, 12 (except the reference therein to Section 2b of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act), 13 (except that any reference to the State shall mean the political subdivision), the first paragraph of Section 15, and Sections 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the Service Occupation Tax Act and all provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

If a tax is imposed under this subsection (c), a tax shall also be imposed under subsection (b) of this Section.

(d) Persons subject to any tax imposed under this Section may reimburse themselves for their seller's tax liability under this Section by separately stating the tax as an additional charge, which charge may be stated in combination, in a single amount, with State taxes that sellers are required to collect under the Use Tax Act, in accordance with such bracket schedules as the Department may prescribe.

Whenever the Department of Revenue determines that a refund should be made under this Section to a claimant instead of issuing a credit memorandum, the Department of Revenue shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall cause the order to be drawn for the amount specified and to the person named in the notification from the Department of Revenue. The refund shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of the STAR Bond Retailers' Occupation Tax Fund.

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the Department of Revenue shall immediately pay over to the State Treasurer, ex officio, as trustee, all taxes, penalties, and interest collected under this Section for deposit into the STAR Bond Retailers' Occupation Tax Fund. On or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the Department of Revenue shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller the disbursement of stated sums of money to named political subdivisions from the STAR Bond Retailers' Occupation Tax Fund, the political subdivisions to be those from which retailers have paid taxes or penalties under this Section to the Department of Revenue during the second preceding calendar month. The amount to be paid to each political subdivision shall be the amount (not including credit memoranda) collected under this Section during the second preceding calendar month by the Department of Revenue plus an amount the Department of Revenue determines is necessary to offset any amounts that were erroneously paid to a different taxing body, and not including an amount equal to the amount of refunds made during the second preceding calendar month by the Department of Revenue, less 3% of that amount, which shall be deposited into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund and shall be used by the Department of Revenue, subject to appropriation, to cover the costs of the Department of Revenue in administering and enforcing the provisions of this Section, on behalf of such political subdivision, and not including any amount that the Department of Revenue determines is necessary to offset any amounts that were payable to a different taxing body but were erroneously paid to the political subdivision. Within 10 days after receipt by the Comptroller of the disbursement certification to the political subdivisions provided for in this Section to be given to the Comptroller by the Department, the Comptroller shall cause the orders to be drawn for the respective amounts in accordance with the directions contained in the certification. The proceeds of the tax paid to political subdivisions under this Section shall be deposited into either (i) the STAR Bonds Tax Allocation Fund by the political subdivision if the political subdivision has designated them as pledged STAR revenues by resolution or ordinance or (ii) the political subdivision's general corporate fund if the political subdivision has not designated them as pledged STAR revenues.

An ordinance or resolution imposing or discontinuing the tax under this Section or effecting a change in the rate thereof shall either (i) be adopted and a certified copy thereof filed with the Department of Revenue on or before the first day of April, whereupon the Department of Revenue, if all other requirements of this Section are met, shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section as of the first day of July next following the adoption and filing; or (ii) be adopted and a certified copy thereof filed with the Department of Revenue on or before the first day of October, whereupon, if all other requirements of this Section are met, the Department of Revenue shall proceed to administer and enforce this Section as of the first day of January next following the adoption and filing.

The Department of Revenue shall not administer or enforce an ordinance imposing, discontinuing, or changing the rate of the tax under this Section until the political subdivision also provides, in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue, the boundaries of the STAR bond district and each address in the STAR bond district in such a way that the Department of Revenue can determine by its address whether a business is located in the STAR bond district. The political subdivision must provide this boundary and address information to the Department of Revenue on or before April 1 for administration and enforcement of the tax under this Section by the Department of Revenue beginning on the following July 1 and on or before October 1 for administration and enforcement of the tax under this Section by the Department of Revenue beginning on the following January 1. The Department of Revenue shall not administer or enforce any change made to the boundaries of a STAR bond district or any address change, addition, or deletion until the political subdivision reports the boundary change or address change, addition, or deletion to the Department of Revenue in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The political subdivision must provide this boundary change or address change, addition, or deletion information to the Department of Revenue on or before April 1 for administration and enforcement by the Department of Revenue of the change, addition, or deletion beginning on the following July 1 and on or before October 1 for administration and enforcement by the Department of Revenue of the change, addition, or deletion beginning on the following January 1. The retailers in the STAR bond district shall be responsible for charging the tax imposed under this Section. If a retailer is incorrectly included or excluded from the list of those required to collect the tax under this Section, both the Department of Revenue and the retailer shall be held harmless if they reasonably relied on information provided by the political subdivision.

A political subdivision that imposes the tax under this Section must submit to the Department of Revenue any other information as the Department of Revenue may require that is necessary for the administration and enforcement of the tax.

When certifying the amount of a monthly disbursement to a political subdivision under this Section, the Department of Revenue shall increase or decrease the amount by an amount necessary to offset any misallocation of previous disbursements. The offset amount shall be the amount erroneously disbursed within the previous 6 months from the time a misallocation is discovered.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize the political subdivision to impose a tax upon the privilege of engaging in any business which under the Constitution of the United States may not be made the subject of taxation by this State.

(e) When STAR bond project costs, including, without limitation, all political subdivision obligations financing STAR bond project costs, have been paid, any surplus funds then remaining in the STAR Bonds Tax Allocation Fund shall be distributed to the treasurer of the political subdivision for deposit into the political subdivision's general corporate fund. Upon payment of all STAR bond project costs and retirement of obligations, but in no event later than the maximum maturity date of the last of the STAR bonds issued in the STAR bond district, the political subdivision shall adopt an ordinance immediately rescinding the taxes imposed pursuant to this Section and file a certified copy of the ordinance with the Department of Revenue in the form and manner as described in this Section.

Section 33. STAR Bonds School Improvement and Operations Trust Fund.

(a) Deposits into the STAR Bonds School Improvement and Operations Trust Fund, established under Section 33 of the Innovation Development and Economy Act, shall be made as provided under this Section. Moneys in the Trust Fund shall be used by the Department of Revenue only for the purpose of making payments to regional superintendents of schools to make distributions to school districts in educational service regions that include the STAR bond district. Moneys in the Trust Fund are not subject to appropriation and shall be used solely as provided in this Section. All deposits into the Trust Fund shall be held in the Trust Fund by the State Treasurer as ex officio custodian separate and apart from all public moneys or funds of this State and shall be distributed by the Department of Revenue exclusively for the purposes set forth in this Section. All moneys in the Trust Fund shall be invested and reinvested by the State Treasurer. All interest accruing from these investments shall be deposited in the Trust Fund.

(b) Upon approval of a STAR bond district, the political subdivision shall immediately transmit to the county clerk of the county in which the district is located a certified copy of the ordinance creating the district, a legal description of the district, a map of the district, identification of the year that the county clerk shall use for determining the total initial equalized assessed value of the district consistent with subsection (c), and a list of the parcel or tax identification number of each parcel of property included in the district.

(c) Upon approval of a STAR bond district, the county clerk immediately thereafter shall determine (i) the most recently ascertained equalized assessed value of each lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property within the STAR bond district, from which shall be deducted the homestead exemptions under Article 15 of the Property Tax Code, which value shall be the initial equalized assessed value of each such piece of property, and (ii) the total equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the district by adding together the most recently ascertained equalized assessed value of each taxable lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property within the district, from which shall be deducted the homestead exemptions under Article 15 of the Property Tax Code, and shall certify that amount as the total initial equalized assessed value of the taxable real property within the STAR bond district.

(d) In reference to any STAR bond district created within any political subdivision, and in respect to which the county clerk has certified the total initial equalized assessed value of the property in the area, the political subdivision may thereafter request the clerk in writing to adjust the initial equalized value of all taxable real property within the STAR bond district by deducting therefrom the exemptions under Article 15 of the Property Tax Code applicable to each lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property within the STAR bond district. The county clerk shall immediately, after the written request to adjust the total initial equalized value is received, determine the total homestead exemptions in the STAR bond district as provided under Article 15 of the Property Tax Code by adding together the homestead exemptions provided by said Article on each lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property within the STAR bond district and then shall deduct the total of said exemptions from the total initial equalized assessed value. The county clerk shall then promptly certify that amount as the total initial equalized assessed value as adjusted of the taxable real property within the STAR bond district.

(e) The county clerk or other person authorized by law shall compute the tax rates for each taxing district with all or a portion of its equalized assessed value located in the STAR bond district. The rate per cent of tax determined shall be extended to the current equalized assessed value of all property in the district in the same manner as the rate per cent of tax is extended to all other taxable property in the taxing district.

(f) Beginning with the assessment year in which the first development user in the first STAR bond project in a STAR bond district makes its first retail sales and for each assessment year thereafter until final maturity of the last STAR bonds issued in the district, the county clerk or other person authorized by law shall determine the increase in equalized assessed value of all real property within the STAR bond district by subtracting the initial equalized assessed value of all property in the district certified under subsection (c) from the current equalized assessed value of all property in the district. Each year, the property taxes arising from the increase in equalized assessed value in the STAR bond district shall be determined for each taxing district and shall be certified to the county collector.

(g) Beginning with the year in which taxes are collected based on the assessment year in which the first development user in the first STAR bond project in a STAR bond district makes its first retail sales and for each year thereafter until final maturity of the last STAR bonds issued in the district, the county collector shall, within 30 days after receipt of property taxes, transmit to the Department of Revenue to be deposited into the STAR Bonds School Improvement and Operations Trust Fund 15% of property taxes attributable to the increase in equalized assessed value within the STAR bond district from each taxing district as certified in subsection (f).

(h) The Department of Revenue shall pay to the regional superintendent of schools whose educational service region includes a STAR bond district, for each year for which money is remitted to the Department of Revenue and paid into the STAR Bonds School Improvement and Operations Trust Fund, the money in the Fund as provided in this Section. The amount paid to each school district shall be allocated proportionately by the regional superintendent of schools, based on each qualifying school district's fall enrollment for the then-current school year, such that the school district with the largest fall enrollment receives the largest proportionate share of money paid out of the Fund or by any other method or formula that the regional superintendent of schools deems fit, equitable, and in the public interest. The regional superintendent may allocate moneys to school districts that are outside of the regional superintendent's educational service region or to other regional superintendents.

The Department of Revenue shall be held harmless for the distributions made under this Section and all distributions shall be final.

(i) In any year that an assessment appeal is filed, the extension of taxes on any assessment so appealed shall not be delayed. In the case of an assessment that is altered, any taxes extended upon the unauthorized assessment or part thereof shall be abated, or, if already paid, shall be refunded with interest as provided in Section 23-20 of the Property Tax Code. In the case of an assessment appeal, the county collector shall notify the Department of Revenue that an assessment appeal has been filed and the amount of the tax that would have been deposited in the STAR Bonds School Improvement and Operations Trust Fund. The county collector shall hold that amount in a separate fund until the appeal process is final. After the appeal process is finalized, the county collector shall transmit to the Department of Revenue the amount of tax that remains, if any, after all required refunds are made.

(j) In any year that ad valorem taxes are allocated to the STAR Bonds School Improvement and Operations Trust Fund, that allocation shall not reduce or otherwise impact the school aid provided to any school district under the general State school aid formula provided for in Section 18-8.05 of the School Code or the evidence-based funding formula provided for in Section 18-8.15 of the School Code.

Section 35. Alternate bonds and general obligation bonds. A political subdivision shall have the power to issue alternate revenue and other general obligation bonds to finance the undertaking, establishment, or redevelopment of any STAR bond project as provided and pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Local Government Debt Reform Act. A political subdivision shall have the power to issue general obligation bonds to finance the undertaking, establishment, or redevelopment of any STAR bond project on approval by the voters of the political subdivision of a proposition authorizing the issue of such bonds. The full faith and credit of the State, any department, authority, public corporation or quasi-public corporation of the State, any State college or university, or any other public agency created by the State shall not be pledged for any payment under any obligation authorized by this Act.

Section 40. Amendments to STAR bond district. Any addition of real property to a STAR bond district or any substantial change to a STAR bond district plan shall be subject to the same procedure for public notice, hearing, and approval - including approval by the Department and the Office of the Governor - as is required for the establishment of the STAR bond district pursuant to this Act.

(a) The addition or removal of land to or from a STAR bond district shall require the consent of the master developer of the STAR bond district.

(b) Any land that is outside of, but is contiguous to an established STAR bond district and is subsequently owned, leased, or controlled by the master developer shall be added to a STAR bond district at the request of the master developer and by approval of the political subdivision, provided that the land becomes a part of a STAR bond project area.

(c) If a political subdivision has undertaken a STAR bond project within a STAR bond district, and the political subdivision desires to subsequently remove more than a de minimis amount of real property from the STAR bond district, then prior to any removal of property the political subdivision must provide a revised feasibility study showing that the pledged STAR revenues from the resulting STAR bond district within which the STAR bond project is located are estimated to be sufficient to pay the project costs. If the revenue from the resulting STAR bond district is insufficient to pay the project costs, then the property may not be removed from the STAR bond district. Any removal of real property from a STAR bond district shall be approved by a resolution of the governing body of the political subdivision.

Section 45. Restrictions. STAR bond districts may lie within an enterprise zone. STAR bond districts may overlay and benefit from existing tax increment financing districts created pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, but no portion of a STAR bond project shall be financed with tax increment financing under said Act. During any period of time that STAR bonds are outstanding for a STAR bond district, a developer may not use any land located in the STAR bond district for any (i) retail store whose primary business is the sale of automobiles, including trucks and other automotive vehicles with 4 wheels designed for passenger transportation on public streets and thoroughfares or (ii) multi-screen motion picture theater complexes containing more than 12 auditoriums for viewing motion pictures. No STAR bond district may contain more than 900,000 square feet of floor space devoted to traditional retail use.

Section 50. Reporting taxes. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the Department of Revenue shall provide a certified report of the State sales tax increment and local sales tax increment from all taxpayers within a STAR bond district to the bond trustee, escrow agent, or paying agent for such bonds upon the written request of the political subdivision on or before the 25th day of each month. Such report shall provide a detailed allocation of State sales tax increment and local sales tax increment from each local sales tax and State sales tax reported to the Department of Revenue.

(a) The bond trustee, escrow agent, or paying agent shall keep such sales and use tax reports and the information contained therein confidential, but may use such information for purposes of allocating and depositing the sales and use tax revenues in connection with the bonds used to finance project costs in such STAR bond district. Except as otherwise provided herein, the sales and use tax reports received by the bond trustee, escrow agent, or paying agent shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 11 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act.

(b) The political subdivision shall determine when the amount of sales tax and other revenues that have been collected and distributed to the bond debt service or reserve fund is sufficient to satisfy all principal and interest costs to the maturity date or dates of any STAR bond issued by a political subdivision to finance a STAR bond project and shall give the Department of Revenue written notice of such determination. The notice shall include a date certain on which deposits into the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund for that STAR bond project shall terminate and shall be provided to the Department of Revenue at least 60 days prior to that date. Thereafter, all sales tax and other revenues shall be collected and distributed in accordance with applicable law.

If the political subdivision fails to give timely notice under this subsection (b), the Department of Revenue, upon discovery of this failure, shall cease distribution of the State sales tax increment to the political subdivision, shall transfer any State sales tax increment in the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund to the General Revenue Fund, and shall cease deposits of State sales tax increment amounts into the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund. Any amount of State sales tax increment distributed to the political subdivision from the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund in excess of the amount sufficient to satisfy all principal and interest costs to the maturity date or dates of any STAR bond issued by the political subdivision to finance a STAR bond project shall be repaid to the Department of Revenue and deposited into the General Revenue Fund. If not repaid within 90 days after notice from the State, the Department of Revenue shall withhold distributions to the political subdivision from the Local Government Tax Fund until the excess amount is repaid, which withheld amounts shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund.

Section 52. Review committee. Upon the seventh anniversary of the first date of distribution of State sales tax increment from the first STAR bond project in the State under this Act, a 7-member STAR bonds review committee shall be formed consisting of one appointee of each of the Director, the Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the Department of Revenue, the President of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the House Minority Leader. The review committee shall evaluate the success of all STAR bond districts then existing in the State and make a determination of the comprehensive economic benefits and detriments of STAR bonds in the State as a whole. In making its determination, the review committee shall examine available data regarding job creation, sales revenues, and capital investment in STAR bond districts; development that has occurred and is planned in areas adjacent to STAR bond districts that will not be directly financed with STAR bonds; effects of market conditions on STAR bond districts and the likelihood of future successes based on improving or declining market conditions; retail sales migration and cannibalization of retail sales due to STAR bond districts; and other relevant economic factors. The review committee shall provide the Director, the Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the Department of Revenue, the General Assembly, and the Governor with a written report detailing its findings and shall make a final determination of whether STAR bonds have had, and are likely to continue having, a negative or positive economic impact on the State as a whole. Upon completing and filing its written report, the review committee shall be dissolved.

Section 55. Severability. If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any persons or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.

Section 57. Rules. The Department and the Department of Revenue shall have the authority to adopt such rules as are reasonable and necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Department and the Department of Revenue shall have the authority, prior to adoption and approval of those rules, to consult on and recommend approval of a STAR bond district in accordance with subsection (d) of Section 20 and to otherwise administer the Act while those rules are pending adoption and approval.

Section 60. Open meetings and freedom of information. All public hearings related to the administration, formation, implementation, development, or construction of a STAR bond district, STAR bond district plan, STAR bond project, or STAR bond project plan, including but not limited to the public hearings required by Sections 15, 20, and 40 of this Act, shall be held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. The public hearing records, feasibility study, and other documents that do not otherwise meet a confidentiality exemption shall be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Section 62. Powers of political subdivisions. The provisions of this Act are intended to be supplemental and in addition to all other power or authority granted to political subdivisions, shall be construed liberally, and shall not be construed as a limitation of any power or authority otherwise granted. In addition to the powers a political subdivision may have under other provisions of law, a political subdivision shall have all of the following powers in connection with a STAR bond district:

(a) To make and enter into all contracts necessary or incidental to the implementation and furtherance of a STAR bond district plan.

(b) Within a STAR bond district, to acquire by purchase, donation, or lease, and to own, convey, lease, mortgage, or dispose of land and other real or personal property or rights or interests in property and to grant or acquire licenses, easements, and options with respect to property, all in the manner and at a price the political subdivision determines is reasonably necessary to achieve the objectives of the STAR bond project.

(c) To clear any area within a STAR bond district by demolition or removal of any existing buildings, structures, fixtures, utilities, or improvements and to clear and grade land.

(d) To install, repair, construct, reconstruct, extend or relocate public streets, public utilities, and other public site improvements located both within and outside the boundaries of a STAR bond district that are essential to the preparation of a STAR bond district for use in accordance with a STAR bond district plan.

(e) To renovate, rehabilitate, reconstruct, relocate, repair, or remodel any existing buildings, improvements, and fixtures within a STAR bond district.

(f) To install or construct any public buildings, structures, works, streets, improvements, utilities, or fixtures within a STAR bond district.

(g) To issue STAR bonds as provided in this Act.

(h) Subject to the limitations set forth in the definition of "project costs" in Section 10 of this Act, to fix, charge, and collect fees, rents, and charges for the use of any building, facility, or property or any portion of a building, facility, or property owned or leased by the political subdivision in furtherance of a STAR bond project under this Act within a STAR bond district.

(i) To accept grants, guarantees, donations of property or labor, or any other thing of value for use in connection with a STAR bond project.

(j) To pay or cause to be paid STAR bond project costs, including, specifically, to reimburse any developer or nongovernmental person for STAR bond project costs incurred by that person. A political subdivision is not required to obtain any right, title, or interest in any real or personal property in order to pay STAR bond project costs associated with the property. The political subdivision shall adopt accounting procedures necessary to determine that the STAR bond project costs are properly paid.

(k) To exercise any and all other powers necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

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