HB2408 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 07732 RXD 37910 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB2408

Introduced 2/17/2005, by Rep. Monique D. Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.640 new
30 ILCS 780/5-50 new
30 ILCS 780/5-55 new

Amends the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs shall administer the Computer Investment Program under which the Department shall assist low-income families in 5 digital divide impacted communities in the State in purchasing computers. Provides that under the Program, the Department shall give an applicant that is approved for a loan with a financial institution participating in the Program a $225 subsidy to be applied towards the purchase of a computer. Establishes the criteria for eligibility under the Program. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Computer Investment Program Fund.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning finance.

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

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.640 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.640 new)

Sec. 5.640. The Computer Investment Program Fund.

Section 10. The Eliminate the Digital Divide Law is amended by adding Sections 5-50 and 5-55 as follows:

(30 ILCS 780/5-50 new)

Sec. 5-50. Computer Investment Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall administer the Computer Investment Program under which the Department shall assist low-income families in 5 digital divide impacted communities in the State in purchasing computers.

(b) An applicant shall apply for a loan with a financial institution participating in the Program in his or her community. The financial institution that extends the loan shall finance the loan at reduced interest rates and waive the credit history requirement from its consideration of the loan application. The loan shall be payable in 36 equal monthly payments for a new computer and 24 equal monthly payments for a used or reconditioned computer.

(c) The Department shall give an applicant that is approved for a loan with a financial institution participating in the Program a $225 subsidy to be applied towards the purchase of a computer.

(d) If the applicant is approved for a loan as provided under subsection (b) of this Section, he or she may borrow up to $684 for a new computer or $240 for a used or reconditioned computer, which shall include all fees, interest, taxes, a one-year warranty, 90 days of bilingual technical support, and free Internet access. Computers shall be purchased from participating retailers approved by the Department. To be eligible to apply for a loan with a financial institution participating in the Program, an applicant must have a child that:

(1) is enrolled in a public school in the State;

(2) receives free or reduced school lunch under the national school lunch program;

(3) has a passing grade point average or agrees to bring up his or her grade point average to a passing level;

(4) has a good attendance record;

(5) has resided in the State for a minimum of 6 months; and

(6) completes a basic computer course at one of the computer-training centers designated by the Department.

(e) The Department shall adopt rules to implement and administer the Program.

(30 ILCS 780/5-55 new)

Sec. 5-55. Computer Investment Program Fund. The Computer Investment Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All moneys in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, by the Department for grants made under Section 5-50 of this Act.