SB0157ham003 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

Filed: 4/8/2022

10200SB0157ham003 LRB102 10128 HLH 39055 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 157

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 157, AS AMENDED, with reference to page and line numbers of House Amendment No. 2, on page 842, immediately below line 16, by inserting the following:

"ARTICLE 110. MICRO ACT

Section 110-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act. References in this Article to "this Act" mean this Article.

Section 110-5. Purpose. It is the intent of the General Assembly that Illinois should lead the nation in production of semiconductors and microchips as they become even more prevalent in everyday life. The General Assembly finds that, through investments in semiconductors and microchips, Illinois will be on the forefront of reshoring semiconductor and microchip production that fuels modern technologies that are essential to the operation of computers, phones, vehicles and any electric product that have become essential to modern life. This Act will create good paying jobs, and generate long-term economic investment in the Illinois business economy, in addition to ensuring a vital product is made in the United States. Illinois must aggressively adopt new business development investment tools so that Illinois can compete with domestic and foreign competitors for semiconductor and chip manufacturing.

Section 110-10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Agreement" means the agreement between a taxpayer and the Department under the provisions of this Act.

"Applicant" means a taxpayer that: (i) operates a business in Illinois as a semiconductor manufacturer, a microchip manufacturer, or a manufacturer of semiconductor or microchip component parts; or (ii) is planning to locate a business within the State of Illinois as a semiconductor manufacturer, a microchip manufacturer, or a manufacturer of semiconductor or microchip component parts. "Applicant" does not include a taxpayer who closes or substantially reduces by more than 50% operations at one location in the State and relocates substantially the same operation to another location in the State. This does not prohibit a Taxpayer from expanding its operations at another location in the State. This also does not prohibit a Taxpayer from moving its operations from one location in the State to another location in the State for the purpose of expanding the operation, provided that the Department determines that expansion cannot reasonably be accommodated within the municipality or county in which the business is located, or, in the case of a business located in an incorporated area of the county, within the county in which the business is located, after conferring with the chief elected official of the municipality or county and taking into consideration any evidence offered by the municipality or county regarding the ability to accommodate expansion within the municipality or county.

"Capital improvements" means the purchase, renovation, rehabilitation, or construction of permanent tangible land, buildings, structures, equipment, and furnishings in an approved project sited in Illinois and expenditures for goods or services that are normally capitalized, including organizational costs and research and development costs incurred in Illinois. For land, buildings, structures, and equipment that are leased, the lease must equal or exceed the term of the agreement, and the cost of the property shall be determined from the present value, using the corporate interest rate prevailing at the time of the application, of the lease payments.

"Credit" or "MICRO credit" means a credit agreed to between the Department and applicant under this Act.

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

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

"Energy Transition Area" means a county with less than 100,000 people or a municipality that contains one or more of the following:

(1) a fossil fuel plant that was retired from service or has significant reduced service within 6 years before the time of the application or will be retired or have service significantly reduced within 6 years following the time of the application; or

(2) a coal mine that was closed or had operations significantly reduced within 6 years before the time of the application or is anticipated to be closed or have operations significantly reduced within 6 years following the time of the application.

"Full-time employee" means an individual who is employed for consideration for at least 35 hours each week or who renders any other standard of service generally accepted by industry custom or practice as full-time employment. An individual for whom a W-2 is issued by a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) is a full-time employee if employed in the service of the applicant for consideration for at least 35 hours each week.

"Incremental income tax" means the total amount withheld during the taxable year from the compensation of new employees and, if applicable, retained employees under Article 7 of the Illinois Income Tax Act arising from employment at a project that is the subject of an agreement.

"Institution of higher education" or "institution" means any accredited public or private university, college, community college, business, technical, or vocational school, or other accredited educational institution offering degrees and instruction beyond the secondary school level.

"MICRO construction jobs credit" means a credit agreed to between the Department and the applicant under this Act that is based on the incremental income tax attributable to construction wages paid in connection with construction of the project facilities.

"MICRO credit" means a credit agreed to between the Department and the applicant under this Act that is based on the incremental income tax attributable to new employees and, if applicable, retained employees, and on training costs for such employees at the applicant's project.

"Microchip" means a wafer of semiconducting material that is less than 15 millimeters long and less than 5 millimeters wide and is used to make an integrated circuit.

"Microchip manufacturer" means a new or existing manufacturer that is focused on reequipping, expanding, or establishing a manufacturing facility in Illinois that produces microchips or key components that directly support the functions of microchips.

"Minority person" means a minority person as defined in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"New employee" means a newly-hired full-time employee employed to work at the project site and whose work is directly related to the project.

"Noncompliance date" means, in the case of a taxpayer that is not complying with the requirements of the agreement or the provisions of this Act, the day following the last date upon which the taxpayer was in compliance with the requirements of the agreement and the provisions of this Act, as determined by the Director.

"Pass-through entity" means an entity that is exempt from the tax under subsection (b) or (c) of Section 205 of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

"Placed in service" means the state or condition of readiness, availability for a specifically assigned function, and the facility is constructed and ready to conduct its facility operations to manufacture goods.

"Professional employer organization" (PEO) means an employee leasing company, as defined in Section 206.1 of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.

"Program" means the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) program established in this Act.

"Project" means a for-profit economic development activity for the manufacture of semiconductors and microchips.

"Related member" means a person that, with respect to the taxpayer during any portion of the taxable year, is any one of the following:

(1) An individual stockholder, if the stockholder and the members of the stockholder's family (as defined in Section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code) own directly, indirectly, beneficially, or constructively, in the aggregate, at least 50% of the value of the taxpayer's outstanding stock.

(2) A partnership, estate, trust and any partner or beneficiary, if the partnership, estate, or trust, and its partners or beneficiaries own directly, indirectly, beneficially, or constructively, in the aggregate, at least 50% of the profits, capital, stock, or value of the taxpayer.

(3) A corporation, and any party related to the corporation in a manner that would require an attribution of stock from the corporation under the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the Taxpayer owns directly, indirectly, beneficially, or constructively at least 50% of the value of the corporation's outstanding stock.

(4) A corporation and any party related to that corporation in a manner that would require an attribution of stock from the corporation to the party or from the party to the corporation under the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the corporation and all such related parties own in the aggregate at least 50% of the profits, capital, stock, or value of the taxpayer.

(5) A person to or from whom there is an attribution of stock ownership in accordance with Section 1563(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, except, for purposes of determining whether a person is a related member under this paragraph, 20% shall be substituted for 5% wherever 5% appears in Section 1563(e) of the Internal Revenue Code.

"Retained employee" means a full-time employee employed by the taxpayer prior to the term of the Agreement who continues to be employed during the term of the agreement whose job duties are directly and substantially related to the project. For purposes of this definition, "directly and substantially related to the project" means at least two-thirds of the employee's job duties must be directly related to the project and the employee must devote at least two-thirds of his or her time to the project. The term "retained employee" does not include any individual who has a direct or an indirect ownership interest of at least 5% in the profits, equity, capital, or value of the taxpayer or a child, grandchild, parent, or spouse, other than a spouse who is legally separated from the individual, of any individual who has a direct or indirect ownership of at least 5% in the profits, equity, capital, or value of the taxpayer.

"Semiconductor" means any class of crystalline solids intermediate in electrical conductivity between a conductor and an insulator.

"Semiconductor manufacturer" means a new or existing manufacturer that is focused on reequipping, expanding, or establishing a manufacturing facility in Illinois that produces semiconductors or key components that directly support the functions of semiconductors.

"Statewide baseline" means the total number of full-time employees of the applicant and any related member employed by such entities at the time of application for incentives under this Act.

"Taxpayer" means an individual, corporation, partnership, or other entity that has a legal obligation to pay Illinois income taxes and file an Illinois income tax return.

"Training costs" means costs incurred to upgrade the technological skills of full-time employees in Illinois and includes: curriculum development; training materials (including scrap product costs); trainee domestic travel expenses; instructor costs (including wages, fringe benefits, tuition and domestic travel expenses); rent, purchase or lease of training equipment; and other usual and customary training costs. "Training costs" do not include costs associated with travel outside the United States (unless the Taxpayer receives prior written approval for the travel by the Director based on a showing of substantial need or other proof the training is not reasonably available within the United States), wages and fringe benefits of employees during periods of training, or administrative cost related to Full-Time Employees of the Taxpayer.

"Underserved area" means any geographic areas as defined in Section 5-5 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act.

Section 110-15. Powers of the Department. The Department, in addition to those powers granted under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, is granted and shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to administer the program under this Act and to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Act, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to:

(1) adopt rules deemed necessary and appropriate for the administration of the program, the designation of projects, and the awarding of credits;

(2) establish forms for applications, notifications, contracts, or any other agreements and accept applications at any time during the year;

(3) assist taxpayers pursuant to the provisions of this Act and cooperate with taxpayers that are parties to agreements under this Act to promote, foster, and support economic development, capital investment, and job creation or retention within the State;

(4) enter into agreements and memoranda of understanding for participation of, and engage in cooperation with, agencies of the federal government, units of local government, universities, research foundations or institutions, regional economic development corporations, or other organizations to implement the requirements and purposes of this Act;

(5) gather information and conduct inquiries, in the manner and by the methods it deems desirable, including without limitation, gathering information with respect to applicants for the purpose of making any designations or certifications necessary or desirable or to gather information to assist the Department with any recommendation or guidance in the furtherance of the purposes of this Act;

(6) establish, negotiate and effectuate agreements and any term, agreement, or other document with any person, necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this Act; and to consent, subject to the provisions of any agreement with another party, to the modification or restructuring of any agreement to which the Department is a party;

(7) fix, determine, charge, and collect any premiums, fees, charges, costs, and expenses from applicants, including, without limitation, any application fees, commitment fees, program fees, financing charges, or publication fees as deemed appropriate to pay expenses necessary or incident to the administration, staffing, or operation in connection with the Department's activities under this Act, or for preparation, implementation, and enforcement of the terms of the agreement, or for consultation, advisory and legal fees, and other costs; however, all fees and expenses incident thereto shall be the responsibility of the applicant;

(8) provide for sufficient personnel to permit administration, staffing, operation, and related support required to adequately discharge its duties and responsibilities described in this Act from funds made available through charges to applicants or from funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly for the administration of this Act;

(9) require applicants, upon written request, to issue any necessary authorization to the appropriate federal, State, or local authority for the release of information concerning a project being considered under the provisions of this Act, with the information requested to include, but not be limited to, financial reports, returns, or records relating to the taxpayer or its project;

(10) require that a taxpayer shall at all times keep proper books of record and account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, with the books, records, or papers related to the agreement in the custody or control of the taxpayer open for reasonable Department inspection and audits, and including, without limitation, the making of copies of the books, records, or papers, and the inspection or appraisal of any of the taxpayer or project assets;

(11) take whatever actions are necessary or appropriate to protect the State's interest in the event of bankruptcy, default, foreclosure, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions of financial assistance or participation required under this Act, including the power to sell, dispose, lease, or rent, upon terms and conditions determined by the Director to be appropriate, real or personal property that the Department may receive as a result of these actions.

Section 110-20. Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Program; project applications.

(a) The Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Program is hereby established and shall be administered by the Department. The Program will provide financial incentives to eligible semiconductor manufacturers and microchip manufacturers.

(b) Any taxpayer planning a project to be located in Illinois may request consideration for designation of its project as a MICRO project, by formal written letter of request or by formal application to the Department, in which the applicant states its intent to make at least a specified level of investment and intends to hire a specified number of full-time employees at a designated location in Illinois. As circumstances require, the Department shall require a formal application from an applicant and a formal letter of request for assistance.

(c) In order to qualify for credits under the program, an Applicant must:

(1) for a semiconductor manufacturer or microchip manufacturer:

(A) make an investment of at least $1,500,000,000 in capital improvements at the project site;

(B) to be placed in service within the State within a 60-month period after approval of the application; and

(C) create at least 500 new full-time employee jobs; or

(2) for a semiconductor or microchip component parts manufacturer:

(A) make an investment of at least $300,000,000 in capital improvements at the project site;

(B) manufacture one or more parts that are primarily used for the manufacture of semiconductors or microchips;

(C) to be placed in service within the State within a 60-month period after approval of the application; and

(D) create at least 150 new full-time employee jobs; or

(3) for a semiconductor manufacturer or microchip manufacturer or a semiconductor or microchip component parts manufacturer that does not quality under paragraph (2) above:

(A) make an investment of at least $20,000,000 in capital improvements at the project site;

(B) to be placed in service within the State within a 48-month period after approval of the application; and

(C) create at least 50 new full-time employee jobs; or

(4) for a semiconductor manufacturer or microchip manufacturer or a semiconductor or microchip component parts manufacturer with existing operations in Illinois that intends to convert or expand, in whole or in part, the existing facility from traditional manufacturing to semiconductor manufacturing or microchip manufacturing or semiconductor or microchip component parts manufacturing:

(A) make an investment of at least $100,000,000 in capital improvements at the project site;

(B) to be placed in service within the State within a 60-month period after approval of the application; and

(C) create the lesser of 75 new full-time employee jobs or new full-time employee jobs equivalent to 10% of the Statewide baseline applicable to the taxpayer and any related member at the time of application.

(d) For any applicant creating the full-time employee jobs noted in subsection (c), those jobs must have a total compensation equal to or greater than 120% of the average wage paid to full-time employees in the county where the project is located, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(e) Each applicant must outline its hiring plan and commitment to recruit and hire full-time employee positions at the project site. The hiring plan may include a partnership with an institution of higher education to provide internships, including, but not limited to, internships supported by the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, or full-time permanent employment for students at the project site. Additionally, the applicant may create or utilize participants from apprenticeship programs that are approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. The Applicant may apply for apprenticeship education expense credits in accordance with the provisions set forth in 14 Ill. Admin. Code 522. Each applicant is required to report annually, on or before April 15, on the diversity of its workforce in accordance with Section 110-50 of this Act. For existing facilities of applicants under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) above, if the taxpayer expects a reduction in force due to its transition to manufacturing semiconductors, microchips, or semiconductor or microchip component parts, the plan submitted under this Section must outline the taxpayer's plan to assist with retraining its workforce aligned with the taxpayer's adoption of new technologies and anticipated efforts to retrain employees through employment opportunities within the taxpayer's workforce.

(f) A taxpayer may not enter into more than one agreement under this Act with respect to a single address or location for the same period of time. Also, a taxpayer may not enter into an agreement under this Act with respect to a single address or location for the same period of time for which the taxpayer currently holds an active agreement under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. This provision does not preclude the applicant from entering into an additional agreement after the expiration or voluntary termination of an earlier agreement under this Act or under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act to the extent that the taxpayer's application otherwise satisfies the terms and conditions of this Act and is approved by the Department. An applicant with an existing agreement under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act may submit an application for an agreement under this Act after it terminates any existing agreement under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act with respect to the same address or location.

Section 110-25. Review of application. The Department shall determine which projects will benefit the State. In making its recommendation that an applicant's application for credit should or should not be accepted, which shall occur within a reasonable time frame as determined by the nature of the application, the Department shall determine that all the following conditions exist:

(1) the applicant intends to make the required investment in the State and intends to hire the required number of full-time employees;

(2) the applicant's project is economically sound, will benefit the people of the State by increasing opportunities for employment, and will strengthen the economy of the State;

(3) awarding the credit will result in an overall positive fiscal impact to the State, as certified by the Department using the best available data; and

(4) the credit is not prohibited under this Act.

Section 110-30. Tax credit awards.

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in this Act, a taxpayer is entitled to a credit against the tax imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act for a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2025 if the taxpayer is awarded a credit by the Department in accordance with an agreement under this Act. The Department has authority to award credits under this Act on and after January 1, 2023.

(b) A taxpayer may receive a tax credit against the tax imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, not to exceed the sum of (i) 75% of the incremental income tax attributable to new employees at the applicant's project and (ii) 10% of the training costs of the new employees. If the project is located in an underserved area or an energy transition area, then the amount of the credit may not exceed the sum of (i) 100% of the incremental income tax attributable to new employees at the applicant's project; and (ii) 10% of the training costs of the new employees. The percentage of training costs includable in the calculation may be increased by an additional 15% for training costs associated with new employees that are recent (2 years or less) graduates, certificate holders, or credential recipients from an institution of higher education in Illinois, or, if the training is provided by an institution of higher education in Illinois, the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, or an apprenticeship and training program located in Illinois and approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. An applicant is also eligible for a training credit that shall not exceed 10% of the training costs of retained employees for the purpose of upskilling to meet the operational needs of the applicant or the project. The percentage of training costs includable in the calculation shall not exceed a total of 25%. If an applicant agrees to hire the required number of new employees, then the maximum amount of the credit for that applicant may be increased by an amount not to exceed 25% of the incremental income tax attributable to retained employees at the applicant's project; provided that, in order to receive the increase for retained employees, the applicant must, if applicable, meet or exceed the statewide baseline. If the Project is in an underserved area or an energy transition area, the maximum amount of the credit attributable to retained employees for the applicant may be increased to an amount not to exceed 50% of the incremental income tax attributable to retained employees at the applicant's project; provided that, in order to receive the increase for retained employees, the applicant must meet or exceed the statewide baseline. Credits awarded may include credit earned for incremental income tax withheld and training costs incurred by the taxpayer beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Credits so earned and certified by the Department may be applied against the tax imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

(c) MICRO Construction Jobs Credit. For construction wages associated with a project that qualified for a credit under subsection (b), the taxpayer may receive a tax credit against the tax imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act in an amount equal to 50% of the incremental income tax attributable to construction wages paid in connection with construction of the project facilities, as a jobs credit for workers hired to construct the project.

The MICRO Construction Jobs Credit may not exceed 75% of the amount of the incremental income tax attributable to construction wages paid in connection with construction of the project facilities if the project is in an underserved area or an energy transition area.

(d) The Department shall certify to the Department of Revenue: (1) the identity of Taxpayers that are eligible for the MICRO Credit and MICRO Construction Jobs Credit; (2) the amount of the MICRO Credits and MICRO Construction Jobs Credits awarded in each calendar year; and (3) the amount of the MICRO Credit and MICRO Construction Jobs Credit claimed in each calendar year. MICRO Credits awarded may include credit earned for Incremental Income Tax withheld and Training Costs incurred by the Taxpayer beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Credits so earned and certified by the Department may be applied against the tax imposed by Section 201(a) and (b) of the Illinois Income Tax Act for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

(e) Applicants seeking certification for a tax credits related to the construction of the project facilities in the State shall require the contractor to enter into a project labor agreement that conforms with the Project Labor Agreements Act.

(f) Any applicant issued a certificate for a tax credit or tax exemption under this Act must annually report to the Department the total project tax benefits received. Reports are due no later than May 31 of each year and shall cover the previous calendar year. The first report is for the 2023 calendar year and is due no later than May 31, 2023.

(g) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an award of credit to an applicant that uses a PEO if all other award criteria are satisfied.

(h) With respect to any portion of a Credit that is based on the incremental income tax attributable to new employees or retained employees, in lieu of the Credit allowed under this Act against the taxes imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, a taxpayer that otherwise meets the criteria set forth in this Section, the taxpayer may elect to claim the credit, on or after January 1, 2025, against its obligation to pay over withholding under Section 704A of the Illinois Income Tax Act. The election shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue and once made shall be irrevocable.

Section 110-35. Relocation of jobs in Illinois. A taxpayer is not entitled to claim a credit provided by this Act with respect to any jobs that the Taxpayer relocates from one site in Illinois to another site in Illinois. Any full-time employee relocated to Illinois in connection with a qualifying project is deemed to be a new employee for purposes of this Act. Determinations under this Section shall be made by the Department.

Section 110-40. Amount and duration of the credits; limitation to amount of costs of specified items. The Department shall determine the amount and duration of the credit awarded under this Act, subject to the limitations set forth in this Act. For a project that qualified under paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20, the duration of the credit may not exceed 15 taxable years. For project that qualified under paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20, the duration of the credit may not exceed 10 taxable years. The credit may be stated as a percentage of the incremental income tax and training costs attributable to the applicant's project and may include a fixed dollar limitation.

Nothing in this Section shall prevent the Department, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, from adopting rules to extend the sunset of any earned, existing, and unused tax credit or credits a taxpayer may be in possession of.

Section 110-45. Contents of agreements with applicants.

(a) The Department shall enter into an agreement with an applicant that is awarded a credit under this Act. The agreement shall include all of the following:

(1) A detailed description of the project that is the subject of the agreement, including the location and amount of the investment and jobs created or retained.

(2) The duration of the credit, the first taxable year for which the credit may be awarded, and the first taxable year in which the credit may be used by the taxpayer.

(3) The credit amount that will be allowed for each taxable year.

(4) For a project qualified under paragraphs (1), (2), or (4) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20, a requirement that the taxpayer shall maintain operations at the project location a minimum number of years not to exceed 15. For project qualified under paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20, a requirement that the taxpayer shall maintain operations at the project location a minimum number of years not to exceed 10.

(5) A specific method for determining the number of new employees and, if applicable, retained employees, employed during a taxable year.

(6) A requirement that the taxpayer shall annually report to the Department the number of new employees, the incremental income tax withheld in connection with the new employees, and any other information the Department deems necessary and appropriate to perform its duties under this Act.

(7) A requirement that the Director is authorized to verify with the appropriate State agencies the amounts reported under paragraph (6), and after doing so shall issue a certificate to the taxpayer stating that the amounts have been verified.

(8) A requirement that the taxpayer shall provide written notification to the Director not more than 30 days after the taxpayer makes or receives a proposal that would transfer the taxpayer's State tax liability obligations to a successor taxpayer.

(9) A detailed description of the number of new employees to be hired, and the occupation and payroll of full-time jobs to be created or retained because of the project.

(10) The minimum investment the taxpayer will make in capital improvements, the time period for placing the property in service, and the designated location in Illinois for the investment.

(11) A requirement that the taxpayer shall provide written notification to the Director and the Director's designee not more than 30 days after the taxpayer determines that the minimum job creation or retention, employment payroll, or investment no longer is or will be achieved or maintained as set forth in the terms and conditions of the agreement. Additionally, the notification should outline to the Department the number of layoffs, date of the layoffs, and detail taxpayer's efforts to provide career and training counseling for the impacted workers with industry-related certifications and trainings.

(12) A provision that, if the total number of new employees falls below a specified level, the allowance of credit shall be suspended until the number of new employees equals or exceeds the agreement amount.

(13) If applicable, a provision that specifies the statewide baseline at the time of application for retained employees. Additionally, the agreement must have a provision addressing if the total number retained employees falls below the statewide baseline, the allowance of the credit shall be suspended until the number of retained employees equals or exceeds the agreement amount.

(14) A detailed description of the items for which the costs incurred by the Taxpayer will be included in the limitation on the Credit.

(15) A provision stating that if the taxpayer fails to meet either the investment or job creation and retention requirements specified in the agreement during the entire 5-year period beginning on the first day of the first taxable year in which the agreement is executed and ending on the last day of the fifth taxable year after the agreement is executed, then the agreement is automatically terminated on the last day of the fifth taxable year after the agreement is executed, and the taxpayer is not entitled to the award of any credits for any of that 5-year period.

(16) A provision stating that if the taxpayer ceases principal operations with the intent to permanently shut down the project in the State during the term of the Agreement, then the entire credit amount awarded to the taxpayer prior to the date the taxpayer ceases principal operations shall be returned to the Department and shall be reallocated to the local workforce investment area in which the project was located.

(17) A provision stating that the Taxpayer must provide the reports outlined in Sections 110-50 and 110-55 on or before April 15 each year.

(18) A provision requiring the taxpayer to report annually its contractual obligations or otherwise with a recycling facility for its operations.

(19) Any other performance conditions or contract provisions the Department determines are necessary or appropriate.

(20) Each taxpayer under paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20 above shall maintain labor neutrality toward any union organizing campaign for any employees of the taxpayer assigned to work on the premises of the project. This paragraph shall not apply to a manufacturer who is subject to collective bargaining agreement entered into prior to the taxpayer filing an application pursuant to this Act.

(b) The Department shall post on its website the terms of each agreement entered into under this Act. Such information shall be posted within 10 days after entering into the agreement and must include the following:

(1) the name of the taxpayer;

(2) the location of the project;

(3) the estimated value of the credit;

(4) the number of new employee jobs and, if applicable, number of retained employee jobs at the project; and

(5) whether or not the project is in an underserved area or energy transition area.

Section 110-50. Diversity report on the taxpayer's workforce, board of directors, and vendors.

(a) Each taxpayer with a workforce of 100 or more employees and with an agreement for a credit under this Act shall, starting on April 15, 2026, and every year thereafter prior to April 15, for which the Taxpayer has an Agreement under this Act, submit to the Department an annual report detailing the diversity of the taxpayer's own workforce, including full-time and part-time employees, contractors, and board of directors' membership. Any taxpayer seeking to claim a credit under this Act that fails to timely submit the required report shall not receive a credit for that taxable year unless and until such report is finalized and submitted to the Department. The report should also address the Taxpayer's best efforts to meet or exceed the recruitment and hiring plan outlined in the application referenced in Section 110-20. Those reports shall be submitted in the form and manner required by the Department.

(b) Vendor diversity and annual report. Each taxpayer with a workforce of 100 or more full-time employees shall, starting on April 15, 2025 and every year thereafter for which the taxpayer has an Agreement under this Act, report on the diversity of the vendors that it utilizes, for publication on the Department's website, and include the following information:

(1) a point of contact for potential vendors to register with the taxpayer's project;

(2) certifications that the taxpayer accepts or recognizes for minority and women-owned businesses as entities;

(3) the taxpayer's goals to contract with diverse vendors, if any, for the next fiscal year for the entire budget of the taxpayer's project;

(4) for the last fiscal year, the actual contractual spending for the entire budget of the project and the actual spending for minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses, expressed as a percentage of the total budget for actual spending for the project;

(5) a narrative explaining the results of the report and the taxpayer's plan to address the voluntary goals for the next fiscal year; and

(6) a copy of the taxpayer's submission of vendor diversity information to the federal government, including but not limited to vendor diversity goals and actual contractual spending for minority-and women-owned businesses, if the Taxpayer is a federal contractor and is required by the federal government to submit such information.

Section 110-55. Sexual harassment policy report. Each taxpayer claiming a credit under this Act shall, prior to April 15 of each taxable year for which the taxpayer claims a credit under this Act, submit to the Department a report detailing that taxpayer's sexual harassment policy, which contains, at a minimum, the following information: (i) the illegality of sexual harassment; (ii) the definition of sexual harassment under State law; (iii) a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples; (iv) the vendor's internal complaint process, including penalties; (v) the legal recourse and investigative and complaint processes available through the Department; (vi) directions on how to contact the Department; and (vii) protection against retaliation as provided by Section 6-101 of the Illinois Human Rights Act. A copy of the policy shall be provided to the Department upon request. The reports required under this Section shall be submitted in a form and manner determined by the Department.

Section 110-60. Certificate of verification; submission to the Department of Revenue.

(a) A taxpayer claiming a credit under this Act shall submit to the Department of Revenue a copy of the Director's certificate of verification under this Act for the taxable year. However, failure to submit a copy of the certificate with the taxpayer's tax return shall not invalidate a claim for a credit.

(b) For a taxpayer to be eligible for a certificate of verification, the taxpayer shall provide proof as required by the Department, prior to the end of each calendar year, including, but not limited to, attestation by the taxpayer that:

(1) The project has achieved the level of new employee jobs specified in the agreement.

(2) The project has achieved the level of annual payroll in Illinois specified in its agreement.

(3) The project has achieved the level of capital improvements in Illinois specified in its agreement.

Section 110-65. Certified payroll.

(a) Each contractor and subcontractor that is engaged in construction work on project facilities for a taxpayer who seeks to apply for a MICRO Construction Jobs Credit shall:

(1) make and keep, for a period of 5 years from the date of the last payment made on a contract or subcontract for construction of facilities for a project pursuant to an agreement, records of all laborers and other workers employed by the contractor or subcontractor on the project; the records shall include:

(A) the worker's name;

(B) the worker's address;

(C) the worker's telephone number, if available;

(D) the worker's social security number;

(E) the worker's classification or classifications;

(F) the worker's gross and net wages paid in each pay period;

(G) the worker's number of hours worked in each day;

(H) the worker's starting and ending times of work each day;

(I) the worker's hourly wage rate; and

(J) the worker's hourly overtime wage rate; and

(2) no later than the 15th day of each calendar month, provide a certified payroll for the immediately preceding month to the taxpayer in charge of the project; within 5 business days after receiving the certified payroll, the Taxpayer shall file the certified payroll with the Department of Labor and the Department; a certified payroll must be filed for only those calendar months during which construction on the project facilities has occurred; the certified payroll shall consist of a complete copy of the records identified in paragraph (1), but may exclude the starting and ending times of work each day; the certified payroll shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the contractor or subcontractor or an officer, employee, or agent of the contractor or subcontractor which avers that:

(A) he or she has examined the certified payroll records required to be submitted by the Act and such records are true and accurate; and

(B) the contractor or subcontractor is aware that filing a certified payroll that he or she knows to be false is a Class A misdemeanor.

A general contractor is not prohibited from relying on a certified payroll of a lower-tier subcontractor, provided the general contractor does not knowingly rely upon a subcontractor's false certification.

(b) Any contractor or subcontractor subject to this Section, and any officer, employee, or agent of such contractor or subcontractor whose duty as an officer, employee, or agent it is to file a certified payroll under this Section, who willfully fails to file such a certified payroll, on or before the date such certified payroll is required to be filed and any person who willfully files a false certified payroll as to any material fact is in violation of this Act and guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and may be enforced by the Illinois Department of Labor or the Department. The Attorney General shall represented the Illinois Department of Labor or the Department in the proceeding.

(c) The taxpayer in charge of the project shall keep the records submitted in accordance with this Section for a period of 5 years from the date of the last payment for work on a contract or subcontract for the project.

(d) The records submitted in accordance with this Section shall be considered public records, except an employee's address, telephone number, and social security number, which shall be redacted. The records shall be made publicly available in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. The contractor or subcontractor shall submit reports to the Department of Labor electronically that meet the requirements of this subsection and shall share the information with the Department to comply with the awarding of the MICRO Construction Jobs Credit. A contractor, subcontractor, or public body may retain records required under this Section in paper or electronic format.

(e) Upon 7 business days' notice, the contractor and each subcontractor shall make available for inspection and copying at a location within this State during reasonable hours, the records identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection to the Taxpayer in charge of the Project, its officers and agents, the Director of the Department of Labor and his/her deputies and agents, and to federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.

Section 110-70. Noncompliance; notice; assessment. If the Director determines that a taxpayer who has received a credit under this Act is not complying with the requirements of the agreement or all of the provisions of this Act, the Director shall provide notice to the taxpayer of the alleged noncompliance and allow the taxpayer a hearing under the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. If, after such notice and any hearing, the Director determines that a noncompliance exists, the Director shall issue to the Department of Revenue notice to that effect, stating the noncompliance date. If, during the term of an agreement, the taxpayer ceases operations at a project location that is the subject of that agreement with the intent to terminate operations in the State, the Department and the Department of Revenue shall recapture from the taxpayer the entire credit amount awarded under that agreement prior to the date the taxpayer ceases operations. The Department shall, subject to appropriation, reallocate the recaptured amounts within 6 months to the local workforce investment area in which the project was located for purposes of workforce development, expanded opportunities for unemployed persons, and expanded opportunities for women and minority persons in the workforce. The taxpayer will be ineligible for future funding under other State tax credit or exemption programs for a 36-month period. Noncompliance of the agreement with result in a default of other agreements for State tax credits and exemption programs for the project.

Section 110-75. Annual report.

(a) On or before July 1 each year, the Department shall submit a report on the tax credit program under this Act to the Governor and the General Assembly. The report shall include information on the number of agreements that were entered into under this Act during the preceding calendar year, a description of the project that is the subject of each agreement, an update on the status of projects under agreements entered into before the preceding calendar year, and the sum of the credits awarded under this Act. A copy of the report shall be delivered to the Governor and to each member of the General Assembly.

(b) The report must include, for each agreement:

(1) the original estimates of the value of the credit and the number of new employee jobs to be created and, if applicable, the number of retained employee jobs;

(2) any relevant modifications to existing agreements;

(3) a statement of the progress made by each taxpayer in meeting the terms of the original agreement;

(4) a statement of wages paid to new employees and, if applicable, retained employees in the State; and

(5) a copy of the original agreement or link to the agreement on the Department's website.

Section 110-80. Evaluation of tax credit program. The Department shall evaluate the tax credit program every three years and issue a report. The evaluation shall include an assessment of the effectiveness of the program in creating new jobs in Illinois and of the revenue impact of the program and may include a review of the practices and experiences of other states with similar programs. The Director shall submit a report on the evaluation to the Governor and the General Assembly three years after the Effective Date of the Act and every three years thereafter.

Section 110-85. Sunset of new agreements. The Department shall not enter into any new Agreements under the provisions of this Act after December 31, 2028.

Section 110-95. Utility tax exemptions for MICRO projects. The Department may certify a taxpayer with a credit for a project that meets the qualifications under paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20, subject to an agreement under this Act, for an exemption from the tax imposed at the project site by Section 2-4 of the Electricity Excise Tax Law. To receive such certification, the taxpayer must be registered to self-assess that tax. The taxpayer is also exempt from any additional charges added to the taxpayer's utility bills at the project site as a pass-on of State utility taxes under Section 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act. The taxpayer must meet any other the criteria for certification set by the Department.

The Department shall determine the period during which the exemption from the Electricity Excise Tax Law and the charges imposed under Section 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act are in effect, which shall not exceed 10 years from the date of the taxpayer's initial receipt of certification from the Department under this Section.

The Department is authorized to adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this Section, including procedures to apply for the exemptions; to define the amounts and types of eligible investments that an applicant must make in order to receive electricity excise tax exemptions or exemptions from the additional charges imposed under Section 9-222 and the Public Utilities Act; to approve such electricity excise tax exemptions for applicants whose investments are not yet placed in service; and to require that an applicant granted an electricity excise tax exemption or an exemption from additional charges under Section 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act repay the exempted amount if the Applicant fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Upon certification by the Department under this Section, the Department shall notify the Department of Revenue of the certification. The Department of Revenue shall notify the public utilities of the exempt status of any taxpayer certified for exemption under this Act from the electricity excise tax or pass-on charges. The exemption status shall take effect within 3 months after certification of the taxpayer and notice to the Department of Revenue by the Department.

Section 110-100. Investment tax credits for MICRO projects. Subject to the conditions set forth in this Act, a Taxpayer is entitled to an investment tax credit toward taxes imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act for a taxable year in which the Taxpayer, in accordance with an Agreement under this Act for that taxable year, invests in qualified property which is placed in service at the site of a project. The Department has authority to certify the amount of such investment tax credits to the Department of Revenue. The credit shall be 0.5% of the basis for such property and shall be determined in accordance with Section 239 of the Illinois Income Tax Act. The credit shall be available only in the taxable year in which the property is placed in service and shall not be allowed to the extent that it would reduce a taxpayer's liability for the tax imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act to below zero. Unused credit may be carried forward in accordance with Section 239 of the Illinois Income Tax Act for use in future taxable years. Any taxpayer qualifying for the Investment Tax Credit shall not be eligible for either the investment tax credits in Section 201(e), (f), or (h) of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

Section 110-105. Building materials exemptions for project sites.

(a) The Department may certify a Taxpayer with a project that meets the qualifications under paragraphs (1), (2), or (4) of subsection (c) of Section 110-20, subject to an agreement under this Act, for an exemption from any State or local use tax or retailers' occupation tax on building materials for the construction of its project facilities. The taxpayer must meet any criteria for certification set by the Department under this Act.

The Department shall determine the period during which the exemption from State and local use tax and retailers' occupation tax are in effect, but in no event shall exceed 5 years in accordance with Section 5m of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act.

The Department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Section, including procedures to apply for the exemption; to define the amounts and types of eligible investments that an applicant must make in order to receive tax exemption; to approve such tax exemption for an applicant whose investments are not yet placed in service; and to require that an applicant granted exemption repay the exempted amount if the applicant fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement with the Department.

Upon certification by the Department under this Section, the Department shall notify the Department of Revenue of the certification. The exemption status shall take effect within 3 months after certification of the taxpayer and notice to the Department of Revenue by the Department.

Section 110-905. The Illinois Income Tax Act is amended by changing Section 704A and by adding Sections 238 and 239 as follows:

(35 ILCS 5/238 new)

Sec. 238. MICRO credits. (a) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, a taxpayer who has entered into an agreement under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act is entitled to a credit against the taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of this Act in an amount to be determined in the Agreement. The taxpayer may elect to claim the credit, on or after January 1, 2026, against its obligation to pay over withholding under Section 704A of this Act as provided in this Section. If the taxpayer is a partnership or Subchapter S corporation, the credit shall be allowed to the partners or shareholders in accordance with the determination of income and distributive share of income under Sections 702 and 704 and subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. The Department, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall adopt rules to enforce and administer the provisions of this Section. This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 250 of this Act.

(b) The credit is subject to the conditions set forth in the agreement and the following limitations:

(1) The tax credit may be in the form of either or both the MICRO Illinois Credit or the MICRO Construction Jobs Credit and shall not exceed the percentage of incremental income tax and percentage of training costs permitted in that Act and in the agreement with respect to the project.

(2) The amount of the credit allowed during a tax year plus the sum of all amounts allowed in prior tax years shall not exceed the maximum amount of credit established in the agreement.

(3) The amount of the credit shall be determined on an annual basis. Except as applied in a carryover year pursuant to paragraph (4), the credit may not be applied against any State income tax liability in more than 15 taxable years.

(4) The credit may not exceed the amount of taxes imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of this Act. Any credit that is unused in the year the credit is computed may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit year. The credit shall be applied to the earliest year for which there is a tax liability. If there are credits from more than one tax year that are available to offset a liability, the earlier credit shall be applied first.

(5) No credit shall be allowed with respect to any agreement for any taxable year ending after the noncompliance date. Upon receiving notification by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity of the noncompliance of a taxpayer with an agreement, the Department shall notify the taxpayer that no credit is allowed with respect to that agreement for any taxable year ending after the noncompliance date, as stated in such notification. If any credit has been allowed with respect to an agreement for a taxable year ending after the noncompliance date for that agreement, any refund paid to the taxpayer for that taxable year shall, to the extent of that credit allowed, be an erroneous refund within the meaning of Section 912 of this Act.

If, during any taxable year, a taxpayer ceases operations at a project location that is the subject of that agreement with the intent to terminate operations in the State, the tax imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of this Act for such taxable year shall be increased by the amount of any credit allowed under the Agreement for that Project location prior to the date the Taxpayer ceases operations.

(6) Instead of claiming the credit against the taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of this Act, with respect to the portion of a MICRO Illinois credit that is calculated based on the Incremental Income Tax attributable to new employees and retained employees, the taxpayer may elect, in accordance with the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, to claim the credit, on or after January 1, 2026, against its obligation to pay over withholding under Section 704A of the Illinois Income Tax Act. Any credit for which a Taxpayer makes such an election shall not be claimed against the taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of this Act.

(35 ILCS 5/239 new)

Sec. 239. MICRO Investment Tax credits.

(a) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, a taxpayer shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 for investment in qualified property which is placed in service at the site of a project that is subject to an agreement between the taxpayer and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pursuant to the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act. If the taxpayer is a partnership or a Subchapter S corporation, the credit shall be allowed to the partners or shareholders in accordance with the determination of income and distributive share of income under Sections 702 and 704 and subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. The credit shall be 0.5% of the basis for such property. The credit shall be available only in the taxable year in which the property is placed in service and shall not be allowed to the extent that it would reduce a taxpayer's liability for the tax imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 to below zero. The credit shall be allowed for the tax year in which the property is placed in service, or, if the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability for that year, whether it exceeds the original liability or the liability as later amended, such excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit year. The credit shall be applied to the earliest year for which there is a liability. If there is credit from more than one tax year that is available to offset a liability, the credit accruing first in time shall be applied first.

(b) The term qualified property means property which:

(1) is tangible, whether new or used, including buildings and structural components of buildings;

(2) is depreciable pursuant to Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, except that "3-year property" as defined in Section 168(c)(2)(A) of that Code is not eligible for the credit provided by this Section;

(3) is acquired by purchase as defined in Section 179(d) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(4) is used at the site of the MICRO Illinois project by the taxpayer; and

(5) has not been previously used in Illinois in such a manner and by such a person as would qualify for the credit provided by this Section.

(c) The basis of qualified property shall be the basis used to compute the depreciation deduction for federal income tax purposes.

(d) If the basis of the property for federal income tax depreciation purposes is increased after it has been placed in service at the site of the project by the taxpayer, the amount of such increase shall be deemed property placed in service on the date of such increase in basis.

(e) The term "placed in service" shall have the same meaning as under Section 46 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(f) If during any taxable year, any property ceases to be qualified property in the hands of the taxpayer within 48 months after being placed in service, or the situs of any qualified property is moved from the project site within 48 months after being placed in service, the tax imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 for such taxable year shall be increased. Such increase shall be determined by (i) recomputing the investment credit which would have been allowed for the year in which credit for such property was originally allowed by eliminating such property from such computation, and (ii) subtracting such recomputed credit from the amount of credit previously allowed. For the purposes of this subsection (f), a reduction of the basis of qualified property resulting from a redetermination of the purchase price shall be deemed a disposition of qualified property to the extent of such reduction.

(35 ILCS 5/704A)

Sec. 704A. Employer's return and payment of tax withheld.

(a) In general, every employer who deducts and withholds or is required to deduct and withhold tax under this Act on or after January 1, 2008 shall make those payments and returns as provided in this Section.

(b) Returns. Every employer shall, in the form and manner required by the Department, make returns with respect to taxes withheld or required to be withheld under this Article 7 for each quarter beginning on or after January 1, 2008, on or before the last day of the first month following the close of that quarter.

(c) Payments. With respect to amounts withheld or required to be withheld on or after January 1, 2008:

(1) Semi-weekly payments. For each calendar year, each employer who withheld or was required to withhold more than $12,000 during the one-year period ending on June 30 of the immediately preceding calendar year, payment must be made:

(A) on or before each Friday of the calendar year, for taxes withheld or required to be withheld on the immediately preceding Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday;

(B) on or before each Wednesday of the calendar year, for taxes withheld or required to be withheld on the immediately preceding Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Beginning with calendar year 2011, payments made under this paragraph (1) of subsection (c) must be made by electronic funds transfer.

(2) Semi-weekly payments. Any employer who withholds or is required to withhold more than $12,000 in any quarter of a calendar year is required to make payments on the dates set forth under item (1) of this subsection (c) for each remaining quarter of that calendar year and for the subsequent calendar year.

(3) Monthly payments. Each employer, other than an employer described in items (1) or (2) of this subsection, shall pay to the Department, on or before the 15th day of each month the taxes withheld or required to be withheld during the immediately preceding month.

(4) Payments with returns. Each employer shall pay to the Department, on or before the due date for each return required to be filed under this Section, any tax withheld or required to be withheld during the period for which the return is due and not previously paid to the Department.

(d) Regulatory authority. The Department may, by rule:

(1) Permit employers, in lieu of the requirements of subsections (b) and (c), to file annual returns due on or before January 31 of the year for taxes withheld or required to be withheld during the previous calendar year and, if the aggregate amounts required to be withheld by the employer under this Article 7 (other than amounts required to be withheld under Section 709.5) do not exceed $1,000 for the previous calendar year, to pay the taxes required to be shown on each such return no later than the due date for such return.

(2) Provide that any payment required to be made under subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2) is deemed to be timely to the extent paid by electronic funds transfer on or before the due date for deposit of federal income taxes withheld from, or federal employment taxes due with respect to, the wages from which the Illinois taxes were withheld.

(3) Designate one or more depositories to which payment of taxes required to be withheld under this Article 7 must be paid by some or all employers.

(4) Increase the threshold dollar amounts at which employers are required to make semi-weekly payments under subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2).

(e) Annual return and payment. Every employer who deducts and withholds or is required to deduct and withhold tax from a person engaged in domestic service employment, as that term is defined in Section 3510 of the Internal Revenue Code, may comply with the requirements of this Section with respect to such employees by filing an annual return and paying the taxes required to be deducted and withheld on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the close of the employer's taxable year. The Department may allow the employer's return to be submitted with the employer's individual income tax return or to be submitted with a return due from the employer under Section 1400.2 of the Unemployment Insurance Act.

(f) Magnetic media and electronic filing. With respect to taxes withheld in calendar years prior to 2017, any W-2 Form that, under the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, is required to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service on magnetic media or electronically must also be submitted to the Department on magnetic media or electronically for Illinois purposes, if required by the Department.

With respect to taxes withheld in 2017 and subsequent calendar years, the Department may, by rule, require that any return (including any amended return) under this Section and any W-2 Form that is required to be submitted to the Department must be submitted on magnetic media or electronically.

The due date for submitting W-2 Forms shall be as prescribed by the Department by rule.

(g) For amounts deducted or withheld after December 31, 2009, a taxpayer who makes an election under subsection (f) of Section 5-15 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act for a taxable year shall be allowed a credit against payments due under this Section for amounts withheld during the first calendar year beginning after the end of that taxable year equal to the amount of the credit for the incremental income tax attributable to full-time employees of the taxpayer awarded to the taxpayer by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act for the taxable year and credits not previously claimed and allowed to be carried forward under Section 211(4) of this Act as provided in subsection (f) of Section 5-15 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. The credit or credits may not reduce the taxpayer's obligation for any payment due under this Section to less than zero. If the amount of the credit or credits exceeds the total payments due under this Section with respect to amounts withheld during the calendar year, the excess may be carried forward and applied against the taxpayer's liability under this Section in the succeeding calendar years as allowed to be carried forward under paragraph (4) of Section 211 of this Act. The credit or credits shall be applied to the earliest year for which there is a tax liability. If there are credits from more than one taxable year that are available to offset a liability, the earlier credit shall be applied first. Each employer who deducts and withholds or is required to deduct and withhold tax under this Act and who retains income tax withholdings under subsection (f) of Section 5-15 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act must make a return with respect to such taxes and retained amounts in the form and manner that the Department, by rule, requires and pay to the Department or to a depositary designated by the Department those withheld taxes not retained by the taxpayer. For purposes of this subsection (g), the term taxpayer shall include taxpayer and members of the taxpayer's unitary business group as defined under paragraph (27) of subsection (a) of Section 1501 of this Act. This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 250 of this Act. No credit awarded under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act for agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2015 may be credited against payments due under this Section.

(g-1) For amounts deducted or withheld after December 31, 2024, a taxpayer who makes an election under the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act shall be allowed a credit against payments due under this Section for amounts withheld during the first quarterly reporting period beginning after the certificate is issued equal to the portion of the REV Illinois Credit attributable to the incremental income tax attributable to new employees and retained employees as certified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pursuant to an agreement with the taxpayer under the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act for the taxable year. The credit or credits may not reduce the taxpayer's obligation for any payment due under this Section to less than zero. If the amount of the credit or credits exceeds the total payments due under this Section with respect to amounts withheld during the quarterly reporting period, the excess may be carried forward and applied against the taxpayer's liability under this Section in the succeeding quarterly reporting period as allowed to be carried forward under paragraph (4) of Section 211 of this Act. The credit or credits shall be applied to the earliest quarterly reporting period for which there is a tax liability. If there are credits from more than one quarterly reporting period that are available to offset a liability, the earlier credit shall be applied first. Each employer who deducts and withholds or is required to deduct and withhold tax under this Act and who retains income tax withholdings this subsection must make a return with respect to such taxes and retained amounts in the form and manner that the Department, by rule, requires and pay to the Department or to a depositary designated by the Department those withheld taxes not retained by the taxpayer. For purposes of this subsection (g-1), the term taxpayer shall include taxpayer and members of the taxpayer's unitary business group as defined under paragraph (27) of subsection (a) of Section 1501 of this Act. This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 250 of this Act.

(g-2) For amounts deducted or withheld after December 31, 2024, a taxpayer who makes an election under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act shall be allowed a credit against payments due under this Section for amounts withheld during the first quarterly reporting period beginning after the certificate is issued equal to the portion of the MICRO Illinois Credit attributable to the incremental income tax attributable to new employees and retained employees as certified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pursuant to an agreement with the taxpayer under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act for the taxable year. The credit or credits may not reduce the taxpayer's obligation for any payment due under this Section to less than zero. If the amount of the credit or credits exceeds the total payments due under this Section with respect to amounts withheld during the quarterly reporting period, the excess may be carried forward and applied against the taxpayer's liability under this Section in the succeeding quarterly reporting period as allowed to be carried forward under paragraph (4) of Section 211 of this Act. The credit or credits shall be applied to the earliest quarterly reporting period for which there is a tax liability. If there are credits from more than one quarterly reporting period that are available to offset a liability, the earlier credit shall be applied first. Each employer who deducts and withholds or is required to deduct and withhold tax under this Act and who retains income tax withholdings this subsection must make a return with respect to such taxes and retained amounts in the form and manner that the Department, by rule, requires and pay to the Department or to a depositary designated by the Department those withheld taxes not retained by the taxpayer. For purposes of this subsection, the term taxpayer shall include taxpayer and members of the taxpayer's unitary business group as defined under paragraph (27) of subsection (a) of Section 1501 of this Act. This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 250 of this Act.

(h) An employer may claim a credit against payments due under this Section for amounts withheld during the first calendar year ending after the date on which a tax credit certificate was issued under Section 35 of the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. The credit shall be equal to the amount shown on the certificate, but may not reduce the taxpayer's obligation for any payment due under this Section to less than zero. If the amount of the credit exceeds the total payments due under this Section with respect to amounts withheld during the calendar year, the excess may be carried forward and applied against the taxpayer's liability under this Section in the 5 succeeding calendar years. The credit shall be applied to the earliest year for which there is a tax liability. If there are credits from more than one calendar year that are available to offset a liability, the earlier credit shall be applied first. This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 250 of this Act.

(i) Each employer with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees during the reporting period may claim a credit against the payments due under this Section for each qualified employee in an amount equal to the maximum credit allowable. The credit may be taken against payments due for reporting periods that begin on or after January 1, 2020, and end on or before December 31, 2027. An employer may not claim a credit for an employee who has worked fewer than 90 consecutive days immediately preceding the reporting period; however, such credits may accrue during that 90-day period and be claimed against payments under this Section for future reporting periods after the employee has worked for the employer at least 90 consecutive days. In no event may the credit exceed the employer's liability for the reporting period. Each employer who deducts and withholds or is required to deduct and withhold tax under this Act and who retains income tax withholdings under this subsection must make a return with respect to such taxes and retained amounts in the form and manner that the Department, by rule, requires and pay to the Department or to a depositary designated by the Department those withheld taxes not retained by the employer.

For each reporting period, the employer may not claim a credit or credits for more employees than the number of employees making less than the minimum or reduced wage for the current calendar year during the last reporting period of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, an employer shall not be eligible for credits for a reporting period unless the average wage paid by the employer per employee for all employees making less than $55,000 during the reporting period is greater than the average wage paid by the employer per employee for all employees making less than $55,000 during the same reporting period of the prior calendar year.

For purposes of this subsection (i):

"Compensation paid in Illinois" has the meaning ascribed to that term under Section 304(a)(2)(B) of this Act.

"Employer" and "employee" have the meaning ascribed to those terms in the Minimum Wage Law, except that "employee" also includes employees who work for an employer with fewer than 4 employees. Employers that operate more than one establishment pursuant to a franchise agreement or that constitute members of a unitary business group shall aggregate their employees for purposes of determining eligibility for the credit.

"Full-time equivalent employees" means the ratio of the number of paid hours during the reporting period and the number of working hours in that period.

"Maximum credit" means the percentage listed below of the difference between the amount of compensation paid in Illinois to employees who are paid not more than the required minimum wage reduced by the amount of compensation paid in Illinois to employees who were paid less than the current required minimum wage during the reporting period prior to each increase in the required minimum wage on January 1. If an employer pays an employee more than the required minimum wage and that employee previously earned less than the required minimum wage, the employer may include the portion that does not exceed the required minimum wage as compensation paid in Illinois to employees who are paid not more than the required minimum wage.

(1) 25% for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020 and ending on or before December 31, 2020;

(2) 21% for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2021 and ending on or before December 31, 2021;

(3) 17% for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 and ending on or before December 31, 2022;

(4) 13% for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023 and ending on or before December 31, 2023;

(5) 9% for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024 and ending on or before December 31, 2024;

(6) 5% for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025 and ending on or before December 31, 2025.

The amount computed under this subsection may continue to be claimed for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026 and:

(A) ending on or before December 31, 2026 for employers with more than 5 employees; or

(B) ending on or before December 31, 2027 for employers with no more than 5 employees.

"Qualified employee" means an employee who is paid not more than the required minimum wage and has an average wage paid per hour by the employer during the reporting period equal to or greater than his or her average wage paid per hour by the employer during each reporting period for the immediately preceding 12 months. A new qualified employee is deemed to have earned the required minimum wage in the preceding reporting period.

"Reporting period" means the quarter for which a return is required to be filed under subsection (b) of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 101-1, eff. 2-19-19; 102-669, eff. 11-16-21.)

Section 110-907. The Use Tax Act is amended by changing Section 12 as follows:

(35 ILCS 105/12) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.12)

Sec. 12. Applicability of Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. All of the provisions of Sections 1d, 1e, 1f, 1i, 1j, 1j.1, 1k, 1m, 1n, 1o, 2-6, 2-12, 2-54, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3, 4 (except that the time limitation provisions shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received), 5 (except that the time limitation provisions on the issuance of notices of tax liability shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received and except that in the case of a failure to file a return required by this Act, no notice of tax liability shall be issued on and after each July 1 and January 1 covering tax due with that return during any month or period more than 6 years before that July 1 or January 1, respectively), 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5n, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, which are not inconsistent with this Act, shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included herein.

(Source: P.A. 98-1098, eff. 8-26-14.)

Section 110-908. The Service Use Tax Act is amended by changing Section 12 as follows:

(35 ILCS 110/12) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.42)

Sec. 12. Applicability of Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. All of the provisions of Sections 1d, 1e, 1f, 1i, 1j, 1j.1, 1k, 1m, 1n, 1o, 2-6, 2-12, 2-54, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 (except as to the disposition by the Department of the money collected under this Act), 4 (except that the time limitation provisions shall run from the date when gross receipts are received), 5 (except that the time limitation provisions on the issuance of notices of tax liability shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received and except that in the case of a failure to file a return required by this Act, no notice of tax liability shall be issued on and after July 1 and January 1 covering tax due with that return during any month or period more than 6 years before that July 1 or January 1, respectively), 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5n, 6d, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act which are not inconsistent with this Act, and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included herein.

(Source: P.A. 98-1098, eff. 8-26-14; 99-217, eff. 7-31-15.)

Section 110-909. The Service Occupation Tax Act is amended by changing Section 12 as follows:

(35 ILCS 115/12) (from Ch. 120, par. 439.112)

Sec. 12. All of the provisions of Sections 1d, 1e, 1f, 1i, 1j, 1j.1, 1k, 1m, 1n, 1o, 2-6, 2-12, 2-54, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 (except as to the disposition by the Department of the tax collected under this Act), 4 (except that the time limitation provisions shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received), 5 (except that the time limitation provisions on the issuance of notices of tax liability shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received), 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5n, 6d, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the "Retailers' Occupation Tax Act" which are not inconsistent with this Act, and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included herein.

(Source: P.A. 98-1098, eff. 8-26-14; 99-217, eff. 7-31-15.)

Section 110-910. The Retailers' Occupation Tax Act is amended by adding Section 5n as follows:

(35 ILCS 120/5n new)

Sec. 5n. Building materials exemption; microchip and semiconductor manufacturing. Each retailer who makes a sale of building materials that will be incorporated into real estate in a qualified facility for which a certificate of exemption has been issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under Section 110-105 of the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, may deduct receipts from such sales when calculating any State or local use and occupation taxes. No retailer who is eligible for the deduction or credit under Section 5k of this Act related to enterprise zones or Section 5l of this Act related to High Impact Businesses for a given sale shall be eligible for the deduction or credit authorized under this Section for that same sale.

In addition to any other requirements to document the exemption allowed under this Section, the retailer must obtain the purchaser's exemption certificate number issued by the Department. A construction contractor or other entity shall not make tax-free purchases unless it has an active exemption certificate issued by the Department at the time of purchase.

Upon request from a person that has been certified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, the Department shall issue a MICRO Illinois Building Materials Exemption Certificate for each construction contractor or other entity identified by the person so certified. The Department shall make the MICRO Illinois Building Materials Exemption Certificates available to each construction contractor or other entity as well as the person certified under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act. The request for MICRO Illinois Building Materials Exemption Certificates must include the following information:

(1) the name and address of the construction contractor or other entity;

(2) the name and location or address of the building project site;

(3) the estimated amount of the exemption for each construction contractor or other entity for which a request for an exemption certificate is made, based on a stated estimated average tax rate and the percentage of the contract that consists of materials;

(4) the period of time over which supplies for the project are expected to be purchased; and

(5) other reasonable information as the Department may require, including but not limited to FEIN numbers, to determine if the contractor or other entity, or any partner, or a corporate officer, and in the case of a limited liability company, any manager or member, of the construction contractor or other entity, is or has been the owner, a partner, a corporate officer, and in the case of a limited liability company, a manager or member, of a person that is in default for moneys due to the Department under this Act or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department.

The Department shall issue the exemption certificate within 3 business days after receipt of request. This requirement does not apply in circumstances where the Department, for reasonable cause, is unable to issue the exemption certificate within 3 business days. The Department may refuse to issue an exemption certificate under this Section if the owner, any partner, or a corporate officer, and in the case of a limited liability company, any manager or member, of the construction contractor or other entity is or has been the owner, a partner, a corporate officer, and in the case of a limited liability company, a manager or member, of a person that is in default for moneys due to the Department under this Act or any other tax or fee Act administered by the Department.

The MICRO Illinois Building Materials Exemption Certificate shall contain language stating that, if the construction contractor or other entity who is issued the exemption certificate makes a tax-exempt purchase, as described in this Section, that is not eligible for exemption under this Section or allows another person to make a tax-exempt purchase, as described in this Section, that is not eligible for exemption under this Section, then, in addition to any tax or other penalty imposed, the construction contractor or other entity is subject to a penalty equal to the tax that would have been paid by the retailer under this Act as well as any applicable local retailers' occupation tax on the purchase that is not eligible for the exemption.

The Department, in its discretion, may require that the request for a MICRO Illinois Exemption Certificate be submitted electronically. The Department may, in its discretion, issue the exemption certificates electronically. The MICRO Illinois Building Materials Exemption Certificate number shall be designed in such a way that the Department can identify from the unique number on the exemption certificate issued to a given construction contractor or other entity, the name of the entity to whom the exemption certificate is issued. The MICRO Illinois Building Materials Exemption Certificate shall contain an expiration date, which shall be no more than 5 years after the date of issuance. At the request of the entity to whom the exemption certificate is issued, the Department may renew an exemption certificate issued under this Section. After the Department issues exemption certificates under this Section, the certified entity may notify the Department of additional construction contractors or other entities eligible for an exemption certificate under this Section. Upon such a notification and subject to the other provisions of this Section, the Department shall issue an exemption certificate to each additional qualified construction contractor or other entity so identified. A certified entity may notify the Department to rescind an exemption certificate previously issued by the Department that has not yet expired. Upon such a notification and subject to the other provisions of this Section, the Department shall rescind the exemption certificate.

If the Department of Revenue determines that a construction contractor or other entity that was issued an exemption certificate under this Section made a tax-exempt purchase, as described in this Section, that was not eligible for exemption under this Section or allowed another person to make a tax-exempt purchase, as described in this Section, that was not eligible for exemption under this Section, then, in addition to any tax or other penalty imposed, the construction contractor or other entity is subject to a penalty equal to the tax that would have been paid by the retailer under this Act as well as any applicable local retailers' occupation tax on the purchase that was not eligible for the exemption.

This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 2-70.

Section 110-915. The Property Tax Code is amended by adding Section 18-184.20 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/18-184.20 new)

Sec. 18-184.20. MICRO Illinois project facilities. Any taxing district, upon a majority vote of its governing body, may, after determination of the assessed value as set forth in this Code, order the clerk of the appropriate municipality or county to abate any portion of real property taxes otherwise levied or extended by the taxing district on a MICRO Illinois Project facility owned by a semiconductor manufacturer or microchip manufacturer or a semiconductor or microchip component parts manufacturer that is subject to an agreement with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, during the period of time such agreement is in effect as specified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Section 110-920. The Telecommunications Excise Tax Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(35 ILCS 630/2) (from Ch. 120, par. 2002)

Sec. 2. As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Gross charge" means the amount paid for the act or privilege of originating or receiving telecommunications in this State and for all services and equipment provided in connection therewith by a retailer, valued in money whether paid in money or otherwise, including cash, credits, services and property of every kind or nature, and shall be determined without any deduction on account of the cost of such telecommunications, the cost of materials used, labor or service costs or any other expense whatsoever. In case credit is extended, the amount thereof shall be included only as and when paid. "Gross charges" for private line service shall include charges imposed at each channel termination point within this State, charges for the channel mileage between each channel termination point within this State, and charges for that portion of the interstate inter-office channel provided within Illinois. Charges for that portion of the interstate inter-office channel provided in Illinois shall be determined by the retailer as follows: (i) for interstate inter-office channels having 2 channel termination points, only one of which is in Illinois, 50% of the total charge imposed; or (ii) for interstate inter-office channels having more than 2 channel termination points, one or more of which are in Illinois, an amount equal to the total charge multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of channel termination points within Illinois and the denominator of which is the total number of channel termination points. Prior to January 1, 2004, any method consistent with this paragraph or other method that reasonably apportions the total charges for interstate inter-office channels among the states in which channel terminations points are located shall be accepted as a reasonable method to determine the charges for that portion of the interstate inter-office channel provided within Illinois for that period. However, "gross charges" shall not include any of the following:

(1) Any amounts added to a purchaser's bill because of a charge made pursuant to (i) the tax imposed by this Article; (ii) charges added to customers' bills pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9-221 or 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act, as amended, or any similar charges added to customers' bills by retailers who are not subject to rate regulation by the Illinois Commerce Commission for the purpose of recovering any of the tax liabilities or other amounts specified in such provisions of such Act; (iii) the tax imposed by Section 4251 of the Internal Revenue Code; (iv) 911 surcharges; or (v) the tax imposed by the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act.

(2) Charges for a sent collect telecommunication received outside of the State.

(3) Charges for leased time on equipment or charges for the storage of data or information for subsequent retrieval or the processing of data or information intended to change its form or content. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to, the use of calculators, computers, data processing equipment, tabulating equipment or accounting equipment and also includes the usage of computers under a time-sharing agreement.

(4) Charges for customer equipment, including such equipment that is leased or rented by the customer from any source, wherein such charges are disaggregated and separately identified from other charges.

(5) Charges to business enterprises certified under Section 9-222.1 of the Public Utilities Act, as amended, or to electric vehicle manufacturers, electric vehicle component parts manufacturers, or electric vehicle power supply manufacturers at REV Illinois Project sites for which a certificate of exemption has been issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under Section 95 of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, to the extent of such exemption and during the period of time specified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(5.1) Charges to business enterprises certified under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act.

(6) Charges for telecommunications and all services and equipment provided in connection therewith between a parent corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries or between wholly owned subsidiaries when the tax imposed under this Article has already been paid to a retailer and only to the extent that the charges between the parent corporation and wholly owned subsidiaries or between wholly owned subsidiaries represent expense allocation between the corporations and not the generation of profit for the corporation rendering such service.

(7) Bad debts. Bad debt means any portion of a debt that is related to a sale at retail for which gross charges are not otherwise deductible or excludable that has become worthless or uncollectable, as determined under applicable federal income tax standards. If the portion of the debt deemed to be bad is subsequently paid, the retailer shall report and pay the tax on that portion during the reporting period in which the payment is made.

(8) Charges paid by inserting coins in coin-operated telecommunication devices.

(9) Amounts paid by telecommunications retailers under the Telecommunications Municipal Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Act.

(10) Charges for nontaxable services or telecommunications if (i) those charges are aggregated with other charges for telecommunications that are taxable, (ii) those charges are not separately stated on the customer bill or invoice, and (iii) the retailer can reasonably identify the nontaxable charges on the retailer's books and records kept in the regular course of business. If the nontaxable charges cannot reasonably be identified, the gross charge from the sale of both taxable and nontaxable services or telecommunications billed on a combined basis shall be attributed to the taxable services or telecommunications. The burden of proving nontaxable charges shall be on the retailer of the telecommunications.

(b) "Amount paid" means the amount charged to the taxpayer's service address in this State regardless of where such amount is billed or paid.

(c) "Telecommunications", in addition to the meaning ordinarily and popularly ascribed to it, includes, without limitation, messages or information transmitted through use of local, toll and wide area telephone service; private line services; channel services; telegraph services; teletypewriter; computer exchange services; cellular mobile telecommunications service; specialized mobile radio; stationary two way radio; paging service; or any other form of mobile and portable one-way or two-way communications; or any other transmission of messages or information by electronic or similar means, between or among points by wire, cable, fiber-optics, laser, microwave, radio, satellite or similar facilities. As used in this Act, "private line" means a dedicated non-traffic sensitive service for a single customer, that entitles the customer to exclusive or priority use of a communications channel or group of channels, from one or more specified locations to one or more other specified locations. The definition of "telecommunications" shall not include value added services in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, content, code and protocol of the information for purposes other than transmission. "Telecommunications" shall not include purchases of telecommunications by a telecommunications service provider for use as a component part of the service provided by him to the ultimate retail consumer who originates or terminates the taxable end-to-end communications. Carrier access charges, right of access charges, charges for use of inter-company facilities, and all telecommunications resold in the subsequent provision of, used as a component of, or integrated into end-to-end telecommunications service shall be non-taxable as sales for resale.

(d) "Interstate telecommunications" means all telecommunications that either originate or terminate outside this State.

(e) "Intrastate telecommunications" means all telecommunications that originate and terminate within this State.

(f) "Department" means the Department of Revenue of the State of Illinois.

(g) "Director" means the Director of Revenue for the Department of Revenue of the State of Illinois.

(h) "Taxpayer" means a person who individually or through his agents, employees or permittees engages in the act or privilege of originating or receiving telecommunications in this State and who incurs a tax liability under this Article.

(i) "Person" means any natural individual, firm, trust, estate, partnership, association, joint stock company, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, or a receiver, trustee, guardian or other representative appointed by order of any court, the Federal and State governments, including State universities created by statute or any city, town, county or other political subdivision of this State.

(j) "Purchase at retail" means the acquisition, consumption or use of telecommunication through a sale at retail.

(k) "Sale at retail" means the transmitting, supplying or furnishing of telecommunications and all services and equipment provided in connection therewith for a consideration to persons other than the Federal and State governments, and State universities created by statute and other than between a parent corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries or between wholly owned subsidiaries for their use or consumption and not for resale.

(l) "Retailer" means and includes every person engaged in the business of making sales at retail as defined in this Article. The Department may, in its discretion, upon application, authorize the collection of the tax hereby imposed by any retailer not maintaining a place of business within this State, who, to the satisfaction of the Department, furnishes adequate security to insure collection and payment of the tax. Such retailer shall be issued, without charge, a permit to collect such tax. When so authorized, it shall be the duty of such retailer to collect the tax upon all of the gross charges for telecommunications in this State in the same manner and subject to the same requirements as a retailer maintaining a place of business within this State. The permit may be revoked by the Department at its discretion.

(m) "Retailer maintaining a place of business in this State", or any like term, means and includes any retailer having or maintaining within this State, directly or by a subsidiary, an office, distribution facilities, transmission facilities, sales office, warehouse or other place of business, or any agent or other representative operating within this State under the authority of the retailer or its subsidiary, irrespective of whether such place of business or agent or other representative is located here permanently or temporarily, or whether such retailer or subsidiary is licensed to do business in this State.

(n) "Service address" means the location of telecommunications equipment from which the telecommunications services are originated or at which telecommunications services are received by a taxpayer. In the event this may not be a defined location, as in the case of mobile phones, paging systems, maritime systems, service address means the customer's place of primary use as defined in the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Conformity Act. For air-to-ground systems and the like, service address shall mean the location of a taxpayer's primary use of the telecommunications equipment as defined by telephone number, authorization code, or location in Illinois where bills are sent.

(o) "Prepaid telephone calling arrangements" mean the right to exclusively purchase telephone or telecommunications services that must be paid for in advance and enable the origination of one or more intrastate, interstate, or international telephone calls or other telecommunications using an access number, an authorization code, or both, whether manually or electronically dialed, for which payment to a retailer must be made in advance, provided that, unless recharged, no further service is provided once that prepaid amount of service has been consumed. Prepaid telephone calling arrangements include the recharge of a prepaid calling arrangement. For purposes of this subsection, "recharge" means the purchase of additional prepaid telephone or telecommunications services whether or not the purchaser acquires a different access number or authorization code. "Prepaid telephone calling arrangement" does not include an arrangement whereby a customer purchases a payment card and pursuant to which the service provider reflects the amount of such purchase as a credit on an invoice issued to that customer under an existing subscription plan.

(Source: P.A. 102-669, eff. 11-16-21.)

Section 110-925. The Electricity Excise Tax Law is amended by changing Section 2-4 as follows:

(35 ILCS 640/2-4)

Sec. 2-4. Tax imposed.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a tax is imposed on the privilege of using in this State electricity purchased for use or consumption and not for resale, other than by municipal corporations owning and operating a local transportation system for public service, at the following rates per kilowatt-hour delivered to the purchaser:

(i) For the first 2000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.330 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(ii) For the next 48,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.319 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(iii) For the next 50,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.303 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(iv) For the next 400,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.297 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(v) For the next 500,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.286 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(vi) For the next 2,000,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.270 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(vii) For the next 2,000,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.254 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(viii) For the next 5,000,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.233 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(ix) For the next 10,000,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.207 cents per kilowatt-hour;

(x) For all electricity in excess of 20,000,000 kilowatt-hours used or consumed in a month: 0.202 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Provided, that in lieu of the foregoing rates, the tax is imposed on a self-assessing purchaser at the rate of 5.1% of the self-assessing purchaser's purchase price for all electricity distributed, supplied, furnished, sold, transmitted and delivered to the self-assessing purchaser in a month.

(b) A tax is imposed on the privilege of using in this State electricity purchased from a municipal system or electric cooperative, as defined in Article XVII of the Public Utilities Act, which has not made an election as permitted by either Section 17-200 or Section 17-300 of such Act, at the lesser of 0.32 cents per kilowatt hour of all electricity distributed, supplied, furnished, sold, transmitted, and delivered by such municipal system or electric cooperative to the purchaser or 5% of each such purchaser's purchase price for all electricity distributed, supplied, furnished, sold, transmitted, and delivered by such municipal system or electric cooperative to the purchaser, whichever is the lower rate as applied to each purchaser in each billing period.

(c) The tax imposed by this Section 2-4 is not imposed with respect to any use of electricity by business enterprises certified under Section 9-222.1 or 9-222.1A of the Public Utilities Act, as amended, to the extent of such exemption and during the time specified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; or with respect to any transaction in interstate commerce, or otherwise, to the extent to which such transaction may not, under the Constitution and statutes of the United States, be made the subject of taxation by this State.

(d) The tax imposed by this Section 2-4 is not imposed with respect to any use of electricity at a REV Illinois Project site that has received a certification for tax exemption from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pursuant to Section 95 of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, to the extent of such exemption, which shall be no more than 10 years.

(e) The tax imposed by this Section 2-4 is not imposed with respect to any use of electricity at a project site that has received a certification for tax exemption from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pursuant to the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, to the extent of such exemption, which shall be no more than 10 years.

(Source: P.A. 102-669, eff. 11-16-21.)

Section 110-930. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing Section 9-222 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/9-222) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 9-222)

Sec. 9-222. Whenever a tax is imposed upon a public utility engaged in the business of distributing, supplying, furnishing, or selling gas for use or consumption pursuant to Section 2 of the Gas Revenue Tax Act, or whenever a tax is required to be collected by a delivering supplier pursuant to Section 2-7 of the Electricity Excise Tax Act, or whenever a tax is imposed upon a public utility pursuant to Section 2-202 of this Act, such utility may charge its customers, other than customers who are high impact businesses under Section 5.5 of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act, electric vehicle manufacturers, electric vehicle component parts manufacturers, or electric vehicle power supply equipment manufacturers at REV Illinois Project sites as certified under Section 95 of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, manufacturers under the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, or certified business enterprises under Section 9-222.1 of this Act, to the extent of such exemption and during the period in which such exemption is in effect, in addition to any rate authorized by this Act, an additional charge equal to the total amount of such taxes. The exemption of this Section relating to high impact businesses shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (b-5) of Section 5.5 of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. This requirement shall not apply to taxes on invested capital imposed pursuant to the Messages Tax Act, the Gas Revenue Tax Act and the Public Utilities Revenue Act. Such utility shall file with the Commission a supplemental schedule which shall specify such additional charge and which shall become effective upon filing without further notice. Such additional charge shall be shown separately on the utility bill to each customer. The Commission shall have the power to investigate whether or not such supplemental schedule correctly specifies such additional charge, but shall have no power to suspend such supplemental schedule. If the Commission finds, after a hearing, that such supplemental schedule does not correctly specify such additional charge, it shall by order require a refund to the appropriate customers of the excess, if any, with interest, in such manner as it shall deem just and reasonable, and in and by such order shall require the utility to file an amended supplemental schedule corresponding to the finding and order of the Commission. Except with respect to taxes imposed on invested capital, such tax liabilities shall be recovered from customers solely by means of the additional charges authorized by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-669, eff. 11-16-21.)".