20 ILCS 605/ Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law)

(20 ILCS 605/Art. 605 heading) ARTICLE 605. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1)

Sec. 605-1. Article short title. This Article 605 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois may be cited as the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law.

(Source: P.A. 93-25, eff. 6-20-03.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-5) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.1 in part)

Sec. 605-5. Definitions. As used in the Sections following this Section:

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

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

"Local government" means every county, municipality, township, school district, and other local political subdivision having authority to enact laws and ordinances, to administer laws and ordinances, to raise taxes, or to expend funds.

(Source: P.A. 93-25, eff. 6-20-03.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-7)

Sec. 605-7. Name change. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, the name of the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs is changed to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. References in any law, appropriation, rule, form, or other document (i) to the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs or to DCCA are deemed, in appropriate contexts, to be references to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for all purposes and (ii) to the Director of Commerce and Community Affairs are deemed, in appropriate contexts, to be references to the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for all purposes.

(Source: P.A. 93-25, eff. 6-20-03.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-10) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.1 in part)

Sec. 605-10. Powers and duties. The Department has the powers and duties enumerated in the Sections following this Section.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-15) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.22)

Sec. 605-15. Cooperation with other departments, agencies, and institutions. To cooperate with other departments, agencies, and institutions of this State in the collecting and assembling of information and to enter into agreements with those departments, agencies, and institutions, upon terms that are mutually agreed upon, to have conducted studies and research that may be necessary and proper.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-20) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.29)

Sec. 605-20. Charges; gifts and grants; Economic Research and Information Fund.

(a) To establish and collect charges and to accept gifts, grants, awards, matching contributions, financial participations, and cost sharings from individuals, businesses, governments, and other third party sources, on terms and conditions that the Director deems advisable, for any or all of the following purposes:

(1) Preparing, producing, and disseminating economic research material and information in various formats and media.

(2) Preparing, producing, and disseminating economic development strategies and planning products prepared as a guidance of the Illinois economy.

(3) Planning, facilitating, entering into, and conducting public, private, or both public and private sector partnerships and other joint venture economic research, strategic planning, and pilot and demonstration projects that have as their purpose fostering increased understanding of the Illinois economy and the development, evaluation, and implementation of policies and strategies to foster economic growth.

(4) Planning, facilitating, and conducting information dissemination and training outreach conferences, workshops, symposia, and award recognition ceremonies.

(b) The Economic Research and Information Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury, and all monies received pursuant to this Section shall be deposited into that Fund. Monies in the Economic Research and Information Fund may be expended for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those monies are received, subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly for those purposes.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-25) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.30a)

Sec. 605-25. Charges, gifts, and grants for promotional products and services; International and Promotional Fund.

(a) To establish, levy, and collect fees and charges and accept gifts, grants, and awards from other governmental entities, for profit organizations, and nonprofit associations in association with or as consideration for the provision of various promotional products and services through its tourism, films production promotion, and international business promotion programs. The Director may establish and collect nominal charges for premiums and other promotional materials produced or acquired as part of the Department's activities authorized under the Illinois Promotion Act from individuals and not-for-profit organizations intending to use those premiums and promotional materials for purposes consistent with the provisions of the Illinois Promotion Act, provided, however, that other State agencies shall be charged no more than the cost of the premium or promotional material to the Department.

(b) The Director may collect cost reimbursement monies from films and media production entities for police and related production security services in amounts determined by the provider of the security services and agreed to by the production entity. The reimbursements shall result only from the agreed costs of planned police and security services to be rendered to film and media production sites in the State of Illinois.

(c) The Director may establish and collect cost-sharing assessments and fees and accept gifts, grants, and awards from private businesses, trade associations, other governmental entities, and individuals desiring to participate in and support the development and conduct of overseas trade, catalog, and distributor shows and activities and to purchase informational materials to foster export sales of Illinois products and services as part of the Department's international business programs.

(d) All money received pursuant to this Section, except as provided in subsection (e), shall be deposited into the International and Promotional Fund within the State treasury which is hereby created; monies within the Fund shall be appropriated only for expenditure pursuant to this Section.

(e) The Department may contract with a vendor for the production of a tourism travel guide. The Department may allow the vendor to sell and collect sales revenues, including in-kind exchanges, for advertisements placed in the travel guide. The Department may allow the vendor to retain any sales revenues it collects as its fee and to cover the costs of producing the travel guide. Any revenue due to the Department, after the vendor retains its share, shall be deposited into the International and Promotional Fund.

(Source: P.A. 96-739, eff. 1-1-10.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-30) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.41)

Sec. 605-30. State and federal programs, grants, and subsidies. The Department shall use the State and federal programs, grants, and subsidies that are available to assist in the discharge of the provisions of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. The Department shall evaluate the eligibility of special districts for State and federal programs, grants, and subsidies based on eligibility requirements set forth in their statutory charters.

(Source: P.A. 102-347, eff. 1-1-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-35) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.43)

Sec. 605-35. Federal moneys for general administration; Intra-Agency Services Fund. Moneys recovered from federal programs for general administration that are received by the Department shall be deposited into a separate fund in the State treasury to be known as the Intra-Agency Services Fund.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-40)

Sec. 605-40. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-45)

Sec. 605-45. Economic development grants; policy considerations. When awarding grants for any economic development purpose, the Department must consider (i) reserving and targeting State business incentives to areas with high unemployment or low income and (ii) if the applicant seeking the grant is located in a metropolitan area, whether that metropolitan area meets location efficiency standards.

(Source: P.A. 95-56, eff. 8-10-07.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-50) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.51)

Sec. 605-50. Expenditures for purposes of Build Illinois Act. To expend appropriations for the purposes contained in the Build Illinois Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-55) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.21)

Sec. 605-55. Contracts and other acts to accomplish Department's duties. To make and enter into contracts, including but not limited to making grants and loans to units of local government, private agencies as defined in the Illinois State Auditing Act, non-profit corporations, educational institutions, and for-profit businesses as authorized pursuant to appropriations by the General Assembly from the Build Illinois Bond Fund, the Rebuild Illinois Projects Fund, the Fund for Illinois' Future, the Capital Development Fund, and the General Revenue Fund, and generally to do all things that, in its judgment, may be necessary, proper, and expedient in accomplishing its duties.

(Source: P.A. 102-699, eff. 4-19-22; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-60)

Sec. 605-60. DCEO Projects Fund. The DCEO Projects Fund is created as a trust fund in the State treasury. The Department is authorized to accept and deposit into the Fund moneys received from any gifts, grants, transfers, or other sources, public or private, unless deposit into a different fund is otherwise mandated. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall use moneys in the Fund to make grants or loans to and enter into contracts with units of local government, local and regional economic development corporations, and not-for-profit organizations for municipal development projects, for the specific purposes established by the terms and conditions of the gift, grant, or award, and for related administrative expenses. As used in this Section, the term "municipal development projects" includes, but is not limited to, grants for reducing food insecurity in urban and rural areas.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-65)

Sec. 605-65. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 96-995, eff. 1-1-11.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-75)

Sec. 605-75. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05. Repealed by P.A. 98-44, eff. 6-28-13.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-85) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.11)

Sec. 605-85. Personnel. To obtain and employ, pursuant to the Personnel Code, the technical, clerical, stenographic, and other administrative personnel that are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and to make expenditures for that purpose within the appropriations for that purpose.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-95) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.42)

Sec. 605-95. Rules and regulations. The Department has the power to make the rules and regulations necessary to carry out its duties.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-100) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.33)

Sec. 605-100. Transfer from Department of Business and Economic Development. To assume the rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the former Department of Business and Economic Development. Personnel, books, records, property, and funds pertaining to the former Department of Business and Economic Development are transferred to the Department, but any rights of employees or the State under the Personnel Code or any other contract or plan shall be unaffected by this transfer.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-105) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.35)

Sec. 605-105. Transfer from Department of Local Government Affairs.

(a) To assume all rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the former Department of Local Government Affairs not pertaining to its property taxation related functions. Personnel, books, records, property and funds pertaining to those non-taxation related functions are transferred to the Department, but any rights of employees or the State under the "Personnel Code" or any other contract or plan shall be unaffected by this transfer.

(b) After August 31, 1984 (the effective date of Public Act 83-1302), the power, formerly vested in the Department of Local Government Affairs and transferred to the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (now Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity), to administer the distribution of funds from the State treasury to reimburse counties where State penal institutions are located for the payment of assistant State's Attorneys' salaries under Section 7 of "An act concerning fees and salaries, and to classify the several counties of this state with reference thereto", approved March 29, 1872, as amended (repealed; now Section 4-2001 of the Counties Code, 55 ILCS 5/4-2001), shall be vested in the Department of Corrections pursuant to Section 3-2-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-110)

Sec. 605-110. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-111) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.34a)

Sec. 605-111. Transfer relating to the Illinois Main Street Program. To transfer from the Department to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor on July 1, 2009, all personnel, books, records, papers, documents, property both real and personal, and pending business in any way pertaining to the Illinois Main Street Program. All personnel transferred pursuant to this Section shall receive certified status under the Personnel Code. Executive Order 09-08, filed April 1, 2009, is hereby superseded and has no force or effect.

(Source: P.A. 96-136, eff. 8-7-09.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-112) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.34b)

Sec. 605-112. Transfer relating to the State Data Center. To assume from the Executive Office of the Governor, Bureau of the Budget (now Governor's Office of Management and Budget), on July 1, 1999, all personnel, books, records, papers, documents, property both real and personal, and pending business in any way pertaining to the State Data Center, established pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Census Bureau pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1525. All personnel transferred pursuant to this Section shall receive certified status under the Personnel Code.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-115) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.36)

Sec. 605-115. Transfer from State Housing Board and Department of Business and Economic Development. In addition to the duties and powers imposed elsewhere in the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Department has the following powers:

(1) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Housing Authorities Act.

(2) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Housing Cooperation Law.

(3) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Housing Development and Construction Act.

(4) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947.

(5) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Blighted Vacant Areas Development Act of 1949.

(6) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Urban Community Conservation Act.

(7) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Urban Renewal Consolidation Act of 1961.

(8) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Redevelopment Project Rehousing Act.

(9) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the State Housing Act.

(10) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested by law in the State Housing Board under the Illinois Housing Development Act.

(11) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties which had been vested by law in the Department of Business and Economic Development under Sections 46.7 (renumbered; now Section 605-200 of this Law; 20 ILCS 605/605-200), 46.8 (repealed), 46.23 (repealed), and 47.1 (repealed) of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, previous to August 29, 1969.

(12) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties which have been vested by law in the State Housing Board under Section 6b-3 of the State Finance Act.

The Department shall render assistance and advice to and take action affecting local governments only upon request of a local government, except as otherwise provided by the powers and duties transferred to the Department by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-200) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.7)

Sec. 605-200. Official State planning agency. To act as the official State planning agency and to accept and use planning grants or other financial assistance from the federal government (1) for statewide comprehensive planning work including research and coordination activity directly related to urban needs and (2) for State and inter-state comprehensive planning and research and coordination activity related thereto. All such grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the federal government.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-205)

Sec. 605-205. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-210) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.9)

Sec. 605-210. Cooperation with civic groups and planning and development agencies. To cooperate with civic groups and local, State, and federal planning and development agencies.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-215)

Sec. 605-215. Military Economic Development Committee.

(a) To coordinate the State's activities on and to act as a communications center for issues relating to current and former military bases in the State, the Military Economic Development Committee is created as an entity within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor:

(1) To preserve, protect, expand, and attract new military missions, assets, and installations to the State of Illinois.

(2) To encourage defense related businesses to expand or relocate to the State of Illinois.

(3) To identify emerging trends and support the long-term viability of the military and defense industry in Illinois.

(4) To assist Illinois communities who have been or could be impacted by Federal Base Realignment and Closure actions or other military realignments.

(5) To be an information clearinghouse by providing military installation information and recommendations to enhance the military value of Illinois defense installations to the Governor, General Assembly, congressional delegation, and State and Federal Government officials.

(b) The Committee shall be composed of the following 7 ex officio members or their designees: the Lieutenant Governor, the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Secretary of Transportation, the Director of Natural Resources, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of Revenue, and the Adjutant General of the Department of Military Affairs. In addition, 4 members of the General Assembly shall be appointed, one each appointed by the President of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. The chair and vice-chairs of the committee, in consultation with the full Committee, shall appoint 10 public members to serve as representatives from the counties, or adjoining counties, of a current or former military base site as necessary to carry out the work of the Commission. The chair and vice-chairs of the Committee, in consultation with the other members of the Committee, shall also appoint up to 4 members having military veteran or defense industry backgrounds from across the State of Illinois. Additionally, the Adjutant General of the Department of Military Affairs shall also appoint one member who is a military veteran. Public member appointees and military veteran or defense industry appointees shall serve 4-year terms; however, for the initial terms of those members, half of them shall be appointed for terms of 2 years as the Lieutenant Governor shall determine.

(c) The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as chair of the Committee, and the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall serve as a vice-chair and shall oversee the administration of the Committee and its functions. The person appointed by the Adjutant General of the Department of Military Affairs shall also serve as a vice-chair of the Committee. Expenses necessary to carry out the function of the Committee shall be shared among the agencies represented on the Committee pursuant to an interagency agreement and from funds appropriated for this purpose or from existing funds within the budgets of those agencies. General Assembly appointees shall serve for the duration of the General Assembly in which the appointee is appointed, but the appointee's term shall expire if the appointee no longer remains a member of that General Assembly. The Committee shall meet not less than quarterly. If an excused absence from a committee meeting is requested by an appointed member, such absence may be granted by the chair of the Committee. Any appointed member of the Committee who has at least 2 unexcused absences in a year shall no longer be a member of the Committee, and his or her replacement shall be appointed in the same manner as the member being replaced for the remainder of that member's current term.

(d) Each member of the Committee must request reimbursement from his or her individual agency for actual and necessary expenses incurred while performing his or her duties as a member of the Committee. Public members shall be reimbursed from funds appropriated to the Department for that purpose.

(e) The Committee shall provide advice and recommendations to the Department on the following:

(1) The formation of a strategic plan for State and local military base retention, realignment, and reuse efforts.

(2) The issues impacting current and former military bases in the State, including infrastructure requirements, environmental impact issues, military force structure possibilities, tax implications, property considerations, and other issues requiring State agency coordination and support.

(3) The status of community involvement and participation in retention, realignment, and reuse efforts and the community support for economic development before and after a military base closing.

(4) The State's retention, realignment, and reuse advocacy efforts on the federal level.

(5) The development of impact studies concerning the closing of a base on the community, housing, the economy, schools, and other public and private entities, including additional economic development ideas to minimize the impact in the event of the base closing.

(6) The development of future economic expansion plans for areas that are subject to closure or realignment.

(f) The Committee, in cooperation with the Department, shall keep the Governor and General Assembly informed concerning the progress of military base retention, realignment, reuse, and economic development efforts in the State.

(g) The Committee shall serve as the central information clearinghouse for all military base reuse, retention, and realignment activities. This shall include: (i) serving as a liaison between the State and community organizations that support the long-term viability of military bases; (ii) communicating with the State's congressional delegation; and (iii) generally coordinating with the public, governmental bodies, and officials in communicating about the future of military bases in the State.

(Source: P.A. 100-144, eff. 1-1-18.)

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

Sec. 605-300. Economic and business development plans; Illinois Business Development Council. Economic development plans. The Department shall develop a strategic economic development plan for the State by July 1, 2014. By no later than July 1, 2015, and by July 1 annually thereafter, the Department shall make modifications to the plan as modifications are warranted by changes in economic conditions or by other factors, including changes in policy. In addition to the annual modification, the plan shall be reviewed and redeveloped in full every 5 years. In the development of the annual economic development plan, the Department shall consult with representatives of the private sector, other State agencies, academic institutions, local economic development organizations, local governments, and not-for-profit organizations. The annual economic development plan shall set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-sensitive goals and shall include a focus on areas of high unemployment or poverty.

The term "economic development" shall be construed broadly by the Department and may include, but is not limited to, job creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, development of human capital, workforce productivity, critical infrastructure, regional competitiveness, social inclusion, standard of living, environmental sustainability, energy independence, quality of life, the effective use of financial incentives, the utilization of public private partnerships where appropriate, and other metrics determined by the Department.

The plan shall be based on relevant economic data, focus on economic development as prescribed by this Section, and emphasize strategies to retain and create jobs.

The plan shall identify and develop specific strategies for utilizing the assets of regions within the State defined as counties and municipalities or other political subdivisions in close geographical proximity that share common economic traits such as commuting zones, labor market areas, or other economically integrated characteristics.

If the plan includes strategies that have a fiscal impact on the Department or any other agency, the plan shall include a detailed description of the estimated fiscal impact of such strategies.

Prior to publishing the plan in its final form, the Department shall allow for a reasonable time for public input.

The Department shall transmit copies of the economic development plan to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than July 1, 2014, and by July 1 annually thereafter. The plan and its corresponding modifications shall be published and made available to the public in both paper and electronic media, on the Department's website, and by any other method that the Department deems appropriate.

The Department shall annually submit legislation to implement the strategic economic development plan or modifications to the strategic economic development plan to the Governor, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. The legislation shall be in the form of one or more substantive bills drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

(Source: P.A. 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-302)

Sec. 605-302. Critical occupations and skill sets. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall conduct a study to identify current and projected shortages in critical occupations and specific skill sets within Illinois businesses and industries and shall devise strategies to alleviate any identified shortages. All State agencies shall cooperate with the Department in conducting the study. The study may build upon previous efforts by the Department, including studies conducted under its Critical Skills Shortage Initiative, which brought together private-sector employers and economic development entities as well as workforce, educational, and public-sector representatives to identify growth industries, industry skills shortages, and demand occupations, to determine root causes for the shortages, and to develop solutions to fill the skills gaps and worker shortages. The Department shall report the results of its study and its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than February 1, 2009.

(Source: P.A. 95-966, eff. 9-23-08.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-305) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.44)

Sec. 605-305. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by 91-476, eff. 8-11-99.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-310) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.3)

Sec. 605-310. Collecting and assembling information. To collect and assemble, or cause to have collected and assembled, information regarding the following: industrial opportunities and possibilities of the State, including raw materials, and products that may be produced therefrom; power and water resources; transportation facilities; available markets; availability of labor; banking and financial facilities; availability of industrial sites; the advantages of the State as a whole and particular sections of the State as industrial, recreational, and tourist locations; and other matters the Department may deem desirable. To collect and assemble, or cause to have collected and assembled, and provide information on the technologies available for businesses to burn Illinois coal and the feasibility of those systems.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-312)

Sec. 605-312. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-494, eff. 8-28-07. Repealed by P.A. 100-621, eff. 7-20-18.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-315) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.17)

Sec. 605-315. Information regarding economic growth. To collect, assemble, and analyze statistics, data, and information regarding the growth and the strengthening of the economy of this State and all of its elements.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-320) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.5)

Sec. 605-320. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14. Repealed by P.A. 102-330, eff. 1-1-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-323) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.76)

Sec. 605-323. Energy assistance.

(a) The Department may accept gifts, grants, awards, matching contributions, interest income, appropriations, and cost sharings from individuals, businesses, governments, and other third-party sources, on terms that the Director deems advisable, to assist eligible households, businesses, industries, educational institutions, hospitals, health care facilities, and not-for-profit entities to obtain and maintain reliable and efficient energy related services, or to improve the efficiency of such services.

(b) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-325) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19i)

Sec. 605-325. Services network funding program. The Department is authorized to promulgate rules and make grants, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly for this purpose, to colleges, universities, trade associations, non-profit organizations, or consortia of for-profit businesses for research, development, promotion, implementation, or improvement related to or in support of manufacturer or producer services networks or group delivered services and activities. Grants to eligible applicants shall not exceed $100,000. The award shall not exceed 75% of the entire amount of the actual expenditures for the cooperative networks or group delivered services or activity unless that limit is waived by the Director.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-328)

Sec. 605-328. Economic Development Matching Grants Program.

(a) The Department, in its discretion, may establish a program of grants to be matched by economic development entities in the State to finance and promote local economic development. The Department is authorized to make grants, subject to appropriations by the General Assembly for this purpose, from the Economic Development Matching Grants Program Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury, to nonprofit organizations and local units of government whose primary objectives are to promote Illinois communities as sites for industrial and business location and expansion. The goal of the program is to enhance the marketing of Illinois by enabling regions and communities to market themselves and thereby attract new business and industry to the State and enhance the environment of growth for existing business and industry.

(b) The applicant's proposed project must have a definable impact on business and industrial attraction, recruitment, or retention. Items eligible for funding consideration include, but are not limited to, specific, time-limited research studies related to industrial and business recruitment or retention, advertising and public relation expenses related to the applicant's proposed project, and production of printed materials and brochures, slide presentations and videotapes, and internet home pages for distribution to those involved in expansion or relocation activities.

(c) In determining the recipients of the grants, consideration shall be given to the following factors:

(1) Does the project demonstrate collaboration between more than one municipality, county, and region?

(2) Does the project demonstrate substantial potential for economic return from an area outside the applicant's region and provide research measurement?

(3) Does the project show creativity and good design qualities and appropriately target a specific market?

(4) Does the project support the Department's economic development out-of-state marketing efforts?

(5) Is the project a demonstrable part of a long-range marketing or strategic plan?

(6) Are the projected costs for the project well-researched and reasonable?

(d) State grant dollars shall be evenly matched by the applicant.

(e) Moneys appropriated to the program of grants shall be deposited into the Economic Development Matching Grants Program Fund and shall not lapse into the General Revenue Fund at the end of a fiscal year.

(f) The grants made under this Section shall be in addition to any other grant programs currently in place and administered by the Department.

(g) The Department shall adopt rules to implement this program.

(Source: P.A. 90-660, eff. 7-30-98; 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-330) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.4)

Sec. 605-330. Encouragement of new industries; use of Illinois coal. To encourage new industrial enterprises to locate in Illinois, by educational promotions pointing out the opportunities of the State as a commercial and industrial field of opportunity and by solicitation of industrial enterprises, and to encourage new enterprises to use equipment that utilizes Illinois coal.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-332)

Sec. 605-332. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 98-463, eff. 8-16-13. Repealed by P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-335) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.4a)

Sec. 605-335. Incentives to foreign firms.

(a) For purposes of this Section:

"Foreign firm" means any industrial or manufacturing enterprise that is domiciled in a nation other than the United States.

"Incentives" means a loan or grant or offering, abatement, reduction, or deferral of any tax or regulation imposed by the State of Illinois or a unit of local government when the aggregate total of all those incentives will exceed $10,000.

(b) Whenever the Department offers incentives to a foreign firm designed to result in the location or relocation of a facility in this State that will result in the creation of more than 25 new jobs, the Department shall prepare an economic impact study prior to the consummation of an agreement with the foreign firm. An economic impact study pursuant to this Section shall, if practical, include but not be limited to the following:

(1) An analysis of the number of direct jobs to be created, the number of indirect jobs to be created, and the net gain in employment in relation to jobs to be potentially lost by other similar and competing firms within the industry located within this State.

(2) The effect on local and regional competition within the industry from the industry or business to be located or relocated.

(3) The degree of economic benefits of awarding the same incentives to similar and existing industries or businesses located within the State.

(4) An examination of how the location or relocation of the foreign firm complements existing industries or businesses located within this State.

(5) The relationship of the fiscal costs to the State or unit of local government resulting from the incentives relative to the fiscal return to the State or units of local government derived from the location or relocation of the firm.

(c) A report of any economic impact studies prepared by the Department in the previous 3 months pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted to the Governor, members of the General Assembly, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability quarterly. In addition to the report, the Department shall include a statement of incentives subject to the agreement with the foreign firm, the name and type of foreign firm involved and a description of its business or industrial activity, the proposed location of the foreign firm, and a statement describing the rationale for the location relative to other locations within the State. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall evaluate each report received from the Department and present the evaluation and report to the Commission members and legislative leaders within 30 days upon receipt of each report from the Department.

(Source: P.A. 93-1067, eff. 1-15-05.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-337)

Sec. 605-337. Restored vacant buildings; loan program. The Department may implement and administer a pilot program during fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to encourage businesses to restore, refurbish, and retrofit existing buildings that have been vacant for at least 90 continuous days so that a business is able to occupy the building as a retail, professional, corporate, manufacturing, assembly, or distribution business. Subject to appropriation, the Department may make interest free loans for this purpose, but loans may not be made for any building that would be used for residential purposes. Loans shall be for a term of 10 years, and the borrower must repay at least 5% of the original principal amount of the loan each year and the balance at the end of the term. On or before April 1, 2011, the Department shall report to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the pilot program and recommend whether it should be extended.

(Source: P.A. 96-296, eff. 8-11-09.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-340)

Sec. 605-340. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-345)

Sec. 605-345. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 98-692, eff. 7-1-14.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-347)

Sec. 605-347. Energy-efficient appliance information.

(a) Before December 31, 2006, the Department may, subject to appropriation, provide information to the public on energy-efficient appliances by a hypertext link to the Energy Star Internet website maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or by compiling information about the Energy Star Program on the Department's website.

(b) For the purpose of this Section, an "energy-efficient appliance" means any household appliance that qualifies as an "Energy Star" product under the Energy Star Program administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(Source: P.A. 94-751, eff. 5-10-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-350) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.12)

Sec. 605-350. Science and research facilities. To encourage the locating in Illinois of scientific and research development laboratories, industrial parks, and facilities and to cooperate with colleges, universities, non-profit professional societies, and governmental agencies to encourage the development and maximum utilization of science and research facilities.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-355) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19a in part)

Sec. 605-355. Grants for research and development in high technology and service sectors.

(a) The Department is authorized to establish a program of grants to universities, community colleges, research institutions, research consortiums, other not-for-profit entities, and Illinois businesses for the purpose of fostering research and development in the high technology and the service sector leading to the development of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. All grant awards shall include a contract that may provide for payment of negotiated royalties to the Department if the product or service to be developed by the grantee is subsequently licensed for production.

(b) Grants may be awarded to universities and research institutions to assist them in making their faculties and facilities available to Illinois businesses. The grants may be used by a university or research institution for purposes including but not limited to the following: (i) to establish or enhance computerized cataloging of all research labs and university staff and make those catalogues available to Illinois businesses; (ii) to market products developed by the university to Illinois businesses; (iii) to review publications in order to identify, catalog, and inform Illinois businesses of new practices in areas such as robotics and biotechnology; (iv) to build an on-line, information and technology system that relies on other computerized networks in the United States; and (v) to assist in securing temporary replacement for faculty who are granted a leave of absence from their teaching duties for the purpose of working full-time for an Illinois business to assist that business with technology transfer.

(c) Grants may be awarded to universities and research institutions, research consortiums, and other not-for-profit entities for the purpose of identifying and supporting Illinois businesses engaged in high technology and service sector enterprises. The Illinois businesses identified and funded shall include recipients of Small Business Innovation Research Program funds under subsections (e) through (k) of Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638, subsections (e) through (k)). Entities receiving grants under this subsection (c) shall be known as commercialization centers and shall engage in one or more of the following activities:

(1) Directing research assistance for new venture creations.

(2) General feasibility studies of new venture ideas.

(3) Furthering the technical and intellectual skills of the managers and owners of Illinois small businesses.

(4) Commercialization of technology and research.

(5) Development of prototypes and testing new products.

(6) Identifying and assisting in securing financing.

(7) Marketing assistance.

(8) Assisting Illinois inventors in finding Illinois manufacturers to produce and market their inventions.

A commercialization center may charge a nominal fee or accept royalty agreements for conducting feasibility studies and other services.

(d) Grants may be awarded by the Department to Illinois businesses to fund research and consultation arrangements between businesses and universities, community colleges, research institutions, research consortiums, and other not-for-profit entities within this State.

The Department shall give priority to Illinois small businesses in awarding grants. Each grant awarded under this subsection (d) shall provide funding for up to 50% of the cost of the research or consultation arrangements, not to exceed $100,000; provided that the grant recipient utilizes Illinois not for profit research and academic institutions to perform the research and development function for which grant funds were requested.

(e) Grants may be awarded to research consortiums and other qualified applicants, in conjunction with private sector or federal funding, for other creative systems that bridge university resources and business, technological, production, and development concerns.

(f) For the purposes of this Section:

"High technology" means any area of research or development designed to foster greater knowledge or understanding in fields such as computer science, electronics, physics, chemistry, or biology for the purpose of producing designing, developing, or improving prototypes and new processes.

"Illinois business" means a "small business concern" as defined in 15 U.S.C. 632 that conducts its business primarily in Illinois.

"Illinois research institutions" refers to not-for-profit entities, which include federally funded research laboratories, that conduct research and development activities for the purpose of producing, designing, developing, or improving prototypes and new processes.

"Other not-for-profit entities" means nonprofit organizations based in Illinois that are primarily devoted to new enterprise or product development.

"Private sector" has the meaning ascribed to it in 29 U.S.C. 1503.

"University" means either a degree granting institution located in Illinois as defined in Section 2 of the Academic Degree Act, or a State-supported institution of higher learning administered by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University, the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Governors State University, the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, the Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University, or the Illinois Community College Board.

"Venture" means any Illinois business engaged in research and development to create new products or services with high growth potential.

(g) The Department may establish a program of grant assistance on a matching basis to universities, community colleges, small business development centers, community action agencies and other not-for-profit economic development agencies to encourage new enterprise development and new business formation and to encourage enterprises in this State. The Department may provide grants, which shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 35-360, to universities, community colleges, small business development centers, community action agencies, and other not-for-profit economic development entities for the purpose of making loans to small businesses. All grant applications shall contain information as required by the Department, including the following: a program operation plan; a certification and assurance that the small business applicants have received business development training or education, have a business and finance plan, and have experience in the proposed business area; and a description of the support services that the grant recipient will provide to the small business. No more than 10% of the grant may be used by the grant recipient for administrative costs associated with the grant. Grant recipients may use grant funds under this program to make loans on terms and conditions favorable to the small business and shall give priority to those businesses located in high poverty areas, enterprise zones, or both.

(Source: P.A. 90-454, eff. 8-16-97; 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-360)

Sec. 605-360. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06. Repealed by P.A. 103-616, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-365) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19a in part)

Sec. 605-365. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 93-839, eff. 7-30-04. Repealed internally, eff. 9-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-370) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.28)

Sec. 605-370. Application of science and technology. To accept and use planning grants or other financial assistance from the federal government and from other sources set forth in Section 605-40 for support of planning studies and activities, performance of administrative functions, and technical services carried out under the State Technical Services Act of 1965, Public Law 89-182, and any subsequent legislation whose purpose is to achieve a wider diffusion and more effective application of science and technology in business, commerce, and industry. To cooperate with colleges, universities, non-profit organizations and associations, and governmental agencies and to sponsor programs and activities designed to encourage wider diffusion and more effective application of science and technology in business, commerce, and industry.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-375) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.58)

Sec. 605-375. Undeveloped patents. To assist in the transfer of undeveloped patents held by institutions of higher education in this State to Illinois technology and business incubators for commercial development and application.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-380) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.60)

Sec. 605-380. Identifying, developing, and commercializing technology. To cooperate with the Illinois Coalition for the purpose of administering programs the purpose of which is to identify, develop, or commercialize technology or to promote private sector efforts to identify, develop, or commercialize technology.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-385) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.62)

Sec. 605-385. Technology Challenge Grant Program; Illinois Technology Enterprise Development and Investment Program. To establish and administer a Technology Challenge Grant Program and an Illinois Technology Enterprise Development and Investment Program as provided by the Technology Advancement and Development Act and to expend appropriations in accordance therewith.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 91-476, eff. 8-11-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-390)

Sec. 605-390. Use of Illinois resident labor. To the extent permitted by any applicable federal law or regulation, for all work performed for State construction projects which are funded in whole or in part by a capital infrastructure bill enacted by the 96th General Assembly by sums appropriated to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, at least 50% of the total labor hours must be performed by actual residents of the State of Illinois. For purposes of this Section, "actual residents of the State of Illinois" means persons domiciled in the State of Illinois. The Department of Labor shall promulgate rules providing for the enforcement of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 96-37, eff. 7-13-09.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-400) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19c)

Sec. 605-400. Office of Urban Assistance. The Department shall provide for, staff, and administer an Office of Urban Assistance, which shall plan and coordinate existing State programs designed to aid and stimulate the economic growth of depressed urban areas. Among other duties assigned by the Department, the Office shall have the following duties:

(1) To coordinate the activities of the following units and programs of the Department and all other present and future units and programs of the Department that impact depressed urban areas to the extent that they impact upon or concern urban economics:

(A) Enterprise Zone Program.

(B) Small Business Development Center Program.

(C) Programs that assist in the development of community infrastructure.

(D) Illinois House Energy Assistance Program.

(E) Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program.

(F) Programs financed with Community Services Block Grant funds.

(G) Industrial Training Program.

(H) Technology Transfer and Innovation Program.

(I) Rental Rehabilitation Program.

(J) Displaced Homemaker Program.

(K) Programs under the federal Job Training Partnership Act.

The Office shall convene quarterly meetings of representatives who are designated by the Department to represent the units and programs listed in items (A) through (K).

(2) To gather information concerning any State or federal program that is designed to revitalize or assist depressed urban areas in the State and to provide this information to public and private entities upon request.

(3) To promote and assist in developing urban inner city industrial parks.

(4) To promote economic parity and the autonomy of citizens of this State through promoting and assisting the development of urban inner city small business development centers, urban youth unemployment projects, small business incubators, family resource centers, urban developments banks, self managed urban businesses, and plans for urban infrastructure projects over the next 25 years.

(5) To recommend to the General Assembly and the Governor economic policies for urban areas and planning models that will result in the reconstruction of the economy of urban areas, especially those urban areas where economically and socially disadvantaged people live.

(6) To make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on the establishment of urban economic policy in the areas of (i) housing, (ii) scientific research, (iii) urban youth unemployment, (iv) business incubators and family resource centers in urban inner cities, and (v) alternative energy resource development, and the need thereof, in urban areas as part of the department's 5-year plan for economic development.

(7) To make any rules and regulations necessary to carry out its responsibilities under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(8) To encourage new industrial enterprises to locate in urban areas (i) through educational promotions that point out the opportunities of any such area as a commercial and industrial field of opportunity and (ii) by the solicitation of industrial enterprises; and to do other acts that, in the judgment of the Office, are necessary and proper in fostering and promoting the industrial development and economic welfare of any urban area. The Office, however, shall have no power to require reports from or to regulate any business.

(9) To accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal government or the State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, to be used for the operating expenses of the Office or for any purposes of the Office, including the making of direct loans or grants of those funds for public, private, experimental, or cooperative housing, scientific research, urban inner city industrial parks, urban youth employment projects, business incubators, urban infrastructure development, alternative energy resource development, food deserts and community food plots, community facilities needed in urban areas, and any other purpose related to the revitalization of urban areas.

(Source: P.A. 96-37, eff. 7-13-09.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-405) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.5a)

Sec. 605-405. Jobs and investment in economic development project area. To encourage the creation or retention of not less than 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs and that private investment in the amount of not less than $100,000,000 shall occur in an economic development project area as defined in the Economic Development Area Tax Increment Allocation Act: by securing by acquisition, gift, grant, exchange, or purchase the rights of way, easements, and fee simple titles that may be necessary to any and all real property required for site acquisition for use in retaining such industry or business concern; by improving or arranging to improve real property so acquired, including but not limited to local public infrastructure improvements; private structural improvements on the land; and by leasing or conveying the land or interest in land so acquired and so improved.

For the purpose of this Section, "local public infrastructure improvements" means local roads and streets, access roads, bridges, and sidewalks; waste disposal systems, water and sewer line extensions, water distribution and purification facilities, and sewage treatment facilities; rail or air or water port improvements; gas and electric utility facilities; transit capital facilities; development and improvement of publicly owned industrial and commercial sites; or other public capital improvements that are an essential precondition to a business retention of that industry or business concern as defined in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-410) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19d)

Sec. 605-410. Rural community development. The Department shall provide for staff for and administer a program in which the Department shall plan and coordinate State efforts designed to aid and stimulate the development of rural communities as well as other communities with special needs in order to improve their competitiveness for business retention, expansion, and attraction. Among other duties, the Department, through the program, may do all of the following:

(1) Provide information, technical support, and assistance to local officials, including, but not limited to, assistance in grant applications, developing economic development strategies, and complying with State and federal laws and rules and regulations affecting local governments. All State agencies shall cooperate with the program to provide the necessary information, materials, and assistance to enable the Department to carry out its function in the program in an effective manner. Each agency shall designate an individual to serve as liaison to the program to provide information and materials and to respond to requests for assistance from communities selecting to work through this program.

(2) Work with agencies in developing flexible regulations through a regulatory review program.

(3) Evaluate and review the impact of existing economic development programs on the rural and special need communities selecting to work through this program.

(4) Assist the communities in conducting self-assessments to identify specific industries and businesses in need of targeted assistance as well as actions that the community might take to become more competitive for business retention, expansion, and attraction.

(5) Assist in formulating specific and measurable economic development objectives for rural and special need communities selecting to work through the program.

(6) Administer the Rural Diversification Act.

(7) Provide grants for the purposes described in this Section with funds as appropriated by the General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-415)

Sec. 605-415. Job Training and Economic Development Grant Program.

(a) Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Despite the large number of unemployed job seekers, many employers are having difficulty matching the skills they require with the skills of workers; a similar problem exists in industries where overall employment may not be expanding but there is an acute need for skilled workers in particular occupations.

(2) The State of Illinois should foster local economic development by linking the job training of unemployed disadvantaged citizens with the workforce needs of local business and industry.

(3) Employers often need assistance in developing training resources that will provide work opportunities for individuals that are under-represented and or have barriers to participating in the workforce.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Eligible Entities" means employers, private nonprofit organizations (which may include a faith-based organization) federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) administrative entities, Community Action Agencies, industry associations, and public or private educational institutions, that have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs.

"Target population" means persons who are unemployed, under-employed, or under-represented that have one or more barriers to employment as defined for "individual with a barrier to employment" in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ("WIOA"), 29 U.S.C. 3102(24).

"Eligible Training Provider" means an organization, such as a public or private college or university, an industry association, registered apprenticeship program or a community-based organization that is approved to provide training services by the appropriate accrediting body.

"Barrier Reduction Funding" means flexible funding through a complementary grant agreement, contract, or budgetary line to increase family stability and job retention by covering accumulated emergency costs for basic needs, such as housing-related expenses (rent, utilities, etc.), transportation, child care, digital technology needs, education needs, mental health services, substance abuse services, income support, and work-related supplies that are not typically covered by programmatic supportive services.

"Youth" means an individual aged 16-24 who faces one or more barriers to education, training, and employment.

(c) The Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Grant Program may leverage funds from lump sum appropriations with an aligning purpose and funds appropriated specifically for the JTED program. Expenditures from an appropriation of funds from the State CURE Fund shall be for purposes permitted by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and all related federal guidance. The Director shall make grants to Eligible Entities as described in this section. The grants shall be made to support the following:

(1) Creating customized training with employers to support, train, and employ individuals in the targeted population for this program including the unemployed, under-employed, or under-represented that have one or more barriers to employment.

(2) Coordinating partnerships between Eligible Entities, employers, and educational entities, to develop and operate regional or local strategies for in-demand industries identified in the Department's 5-year Economic Plan and the State's WIOA Unified Plan. These strategies must be part of a career pathway for demand occupations that result in certification or credentials for the targeted populations.

(3) Leveraging funding from a Barrier Reduction Fund to provide supportive services (e.g. transportation, child care, mental health services, substance abuse services, and income support) for targeted populations including youth participants in workforce development programs to assist with a transition to post-secondary education or full-time employment and a career.

(4) Establishing policies for resource and service coordination and to provide funding for services that attempt to reduce employment barriers such as housing-related expenses (rent, utilities, etc.), child care, digital technology needs, counseling, relief from fines and fees, education needs, and work-related supplies that are not typically covered by programmatic supportive services.

(5) Developing work-based learning and subsidized (or "transitional") employment opportunities with employers, to support the target populations including youth that require on-the-job experience to gain employability skills, work history, and a network to enter the workforce.

(6) Using funding for case management support, subsidies for employee wages, and grants to eligible entities in each region, as feasible, to administer transitional job training programs.

(d) For projects created under subsection (c):

(1) The Department shall give a priority to projects that include an in-kind match by an employer in partnership with an Eligible Entity and projects that use instructional materials and training instructors directly used in the specific industry sector of the partnership employer.

(2) Participating employers should be active participants in identifying the skills needed for their jobs to ensure the training is appropriate for the targeted populations.

(3) Eligible entities shall assess the employment barriers and needs of local residents and work in partnership with Local Workforce Innovation Areas and local economic development organizations to identify the priority workforce needs of the local industries. These must align with the WIOA Unified, Regional, and Local level plans as well as the Department's 5-year Economic Plan.

(4) Eligible Entities and Eligible Training Providers shall work together to design programs with maximum benefits to local disadvantaged persons and local employers.

(5) Employers must be involved in identifying specific skill-training needs, planning curriculum, assisting in training activities, providing job opportunities, and coordinating job retention for people hired after training through this program and follow-up support.

(6) Eligible Entities shall serve persons who are unemployed, under-employed, or under-represented and that have one or more barriers to employment.

(e) The Department may make available Barrier Reduction Funding to support complementary workforce development and job training efforts.

(f) The Department shall adopt rules for the grant program and shall create a competitive application procedure for those grants to be awarded beginning in fiscal year 2022. Grants shall be awarded and performance measured based on criteria set forth in Notices of Funding Opportunity.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-416)

Sec. 605-416. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-656, eff. 1-1-10. Repealed by P.A. 101-275, eff. 8-9-19.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-417)

Sec. 605-417. International standardization assistance program.

The Department may create a program for the assistance of Illinois manufacturers and other businesses to become accredited and reaccredited in approved international standardization organizations. This program is subject to appropriation and may provide for the collaboration of statewide manufacturing extension organizations and other providers of programs offering certification in international standardization organizations.

The Department may promulgate rules regarding all aspects of the program of assistance provided for in this Section.

For the purposes of this Section, an "international standardization organization" shall mean a recognized body that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, specifications, and criteria to be applied consistently in the classification of materials, in the manufacture and supply of products, in testing and analysis, in terminology, and in the provision of services and may include a reference framework or a common technological language between suppliers and their customers that facilitates trade and the transfer of technology.

(Source: P.A. 94-97, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-418)

Sec. 605-418. The Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery Program.

(a) There is established the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program to be administered by the Department for the purpose of responding to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency by spurring strategic economic growth and recovery in distressed industries and regions.

(b) The RISE Program shall provide for:

(1) Statewide post-COVID-19 research and planning. The Department shall conduct research on post-COVID-19 trends in key industries of focus for Illinois impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Department will complete an assessment of regional economies within the state with the goal of answering:

(A) How have prominent industries in each region of Illinois been impacted by COVID-19?

(B) Where in Illinois are the key assets to leverage for investment?

(C) What is the status of existing regional planning efforts throughout the state?

(D) What regional infrastructure investments might spur new economic development?

(E) What are the needs in terms of access to capital, business attraction, and community cooperation that need more investment?

(2) Support for regional and local planning, primarily in economically distressed areas. The RISE Program will fund grants to local governmental units and regional economic development organizations to update outdated economic plans or prepare new ones to improve alignment with a statewide COVID-19 economic recovery. Grants will be prioritized for research in regions and localities which are most economically distressed, as determined by the Department.

(3) Support statewide and regional efforts to improve the efficacy of economic relief programs. Adding to the research and planning effort, contracts, grants, and awards may be released to support efficacy review efforts of existing or proposed economic relief programs at the state and regional level. This includes conducting data analysis, targeted consumer outreach, and research improvements to data or technology infrastructure.

(4) RISE implementation grants. The Department will prioritize grantmaking to establish initiatives, launch pilot projects, or make capital investments that are identified through research and planning efforts undertaken pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (3). Implementation efforts may also include investment in quality of life amenities and strategic national/international outreach to increase available workforce in areas of need.

(c) The RISE Program may leverage funds from lump sum appropriations with an aligning purpose and funds appropriated specifically for the RISE Program. Expenditures from an appropriation of funds from the State CURE Fund shall be for purposes permitted by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and all related federal guidance.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-420) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.75)

Sec. 605-420. Workforce, Technology, and Economic Development Fund.

(a) The Department may accept gifts, grants, awards, matching contributions, interest income, appropriations, and cost sharings from individuals, businesses, governments, and other third-party sources, on terms that the Director deems advisable, for any or all of the following purposes:

(1) (blank);

(2) to assist economically disadvantaged and other youth to make a successful transition from school to work;

(3) to assist other individuals targeted for services through education, training, and workforce development programs to obtain employment-related skills and obtain employment;

(4) to identify, develop, commercialize, or promote technology within the State; and

(5) to promote economic development within the State.

(b) The Workforce, Technology, and Economic Development Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury. All moneys received under this Section shall be deposited into the Workforce, Technology, and Economic Development Fund.

Moneys received under this Section are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those moneys were received, including, but not limited to, the making of grants and any other purpose authorized by law.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-425)

Sec. 605-425. Illinois Steel Development Board.

(a) The Illinois Steel Development Board is established as an advisory board to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Board shall be composed of the following voting members: the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, who shall be Chairman of the Board, the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Business Development within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, 4 members of the General Assembly (one each appointed by the President of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the House Minority Leader), and 8 persons appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Members appointed by the Governor must include: (1) one member shall be a member of the faculty of a school of business located within Illinois; (2) one member shall be a member of the faculty of a school of engineering located within Illinois; (3) one member shall represent a labor union that represents steelworkers; and (4) 5 members shall represent the Illinois steel industry, including but not limited to technology, transportation, financial, production, and use. Members appointed by the Governor shall be chosen from persons of recognized ability and experience in their designated field.

The members appointed by the Governor shall serve for terms of 4 years. The initial terms of the initial appointees shall expire on July 1, 2009. A member appointed by a legislative leader shall serve for the duration of the General Assembly for which he or she is appointed, so long as the member remains a member of that General Assembly.

The Board shall meet at least annually or at the call of the Chairman. At any time the majority of the Board may petition the Chairman for a meeting of the Board. Nine members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Members of the Board shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred while performing their duties as members of the Board from funds appropriated to the Department for that purpose.

(b) The Board shall provide advice and make recommendations to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on the following:

(1) The development of an annual agenda that may include, but is not limited to, research, marketing, and promotional methodologies conducted for the purpose of increasing the use of American steel produced, used, or transported by Illinois companies with emphasis on the following areas: maintaining and increasing employment of Illinois workers in the steel industry; steel preparation and characterization; marketing; public awareness and education; transportation; and environmental impacts.

(2) The support and coordination of American steel research, marketing, and promotion; the approval of projects consistent with the annual agenda and budget for steel research, marketing, and promotion; and the approval of the annual budget and operating plan for administration of the Board.

(3) The promotion and coordination of available research, marketing, and promotional information on the production, preparation, distribution, and uses of American steel. The Board shall advise the existing research institutions within the State on areas where research may be necessary.

(4) The cooperation to the fullest extent possible with State and federal agencies and departments, independent organizations, and other interested groups, public and private, for the purposes of promoting American steel resources.

(5) The submission of an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly outlining the progress and accomplishments made during the calendar year and furnishing other relevant information.

(6) Focusing on existing steel research, marketing, and promotion efforts in carrying out its mission, ways to make use of existing facilities in Illinois or other institutions carrying out research, marketing, and promotion of American steel and, as far as practical, to make maximum use of the facilities available in Illinois, including universities and colleges located within the State of Illinois, and the creation of a consortium or center that conducts, coordinates, and supports steel research, promotion, and marketing activities in the State of Illinois. Programmatic activities of the consortium or center shall be subject to approval by the Department and shall be consistent with the purposes of this Section. The Department may authorize the expenditure of funds in support of the administrative and programmatic operations of the center or consortium that are consistent with its authority. Administrative actions undertaken by or for the center or consortium shall be subject to the approval of the Department.

(7) Reasonable ways, before initiating any research, to avoid duplication of effort and expense through the coordination of the research efforts of various agencies, departments, universities, or organizations.

(8) The adoption, amendment, and repeal of rules, regulations, and bylaws governing the Board's organization and conduct of business.

(9) The search for, the acceptance of, and the expenditure of gifts or grants in any form, from any public agency or from any other source. The gifts and grants may be held in trust by the Department and expended at the direction of the Department and in the exercise of the Department's powers and performance of the Department's duties.

(10) The publication, from time to time, of the results of American steel research, marketing, and promotion projects funded through the Department.

(c) The Board shall also provide advice and make recommendations to the Department on the following:

(1) The creation and maintenance of current and accurate records on all markets for and actual uses of steel processed, utilized, or transported in Illinois and ways of making those records available to the public upon request.

(2) The identification of all current and anticipated future technical, economic, institutional, market, environmental, regulatory, and other impediments to the use of American steel and the Illinois steel industry.

(3) The identification of alternative plans or actions that would maintain or increase the use of American steel and the Illinois steel industry.

(4) The development of strategies and proposing policies to promote responsible uses of American steel processed, used, or transported by the Illinois steel industry.

(Source: P.A. 94-279, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-430)

Sec. 605-430. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-435)

Sec. 605-435. Lifelong learning accounts; pilot program.

(a) The Department may establish and maintain a pilot program to provide for and test the use of lifelong learning accounts for workers in the State's healthcare sector. For the purposes of this Section, "lifelong learning account" means an individual asset account held by a trustee, custodian, or fiduciary approved by the Department on behalf of a healthcare employee, the moneys in which may be used only to pay education expenses incurred by or on behalf of the account owner.

(b) The Department, if administering a program under this Section:

(1) may serve up to 500 healthcare workers;

(2) must encourage the participation, in the program, of lower-income and lower-skilled healthcare workers;

(3) must implement the program in diverse geographic and economic areas and include healthcare workers in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State;

(4) must include, in the program, healthcare employers of different sizes that choose to participate in the program;

(5) must provide matching grants in an amount, not to exceed $500 annually for each grant, equal to 50% of the annual aggregate contribution made by an employer and employee to the employee's lifelong learning account;

(6) must make technical assistance available to companies and educational and career advising available to individual participants.

(c) The establishment of program under this Section is discretionary on the part of the Department and is subject to appropriation.

(d) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-1006, eff. 7-3-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-450) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19g)

Sec. 605-450. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 92-850, eff. 8-26-02.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-456)

Sec. 605-456. Survey and report on business incentives.

(a) The Department shall contact businesses that are located in the State or have been identified as having left the State. The Department shall request that the business complete a survey, developed by the Department, that includes information regarding (i) why the business left, if applicable, and the location to which the business relocated and (ii) any incentives that are needed to keep and attract the business.

(b) The Department shall compile the results of the surveys and any other relevant information provided to the Department. By each July 1, the Department shall report to the General Assembly upon its compilation of the previous year's survey responses and any of the other relevant information. The report must identify, at a minimum, the most common responses, categorized by industry and region, regarding (i) why businesses left Illinois, (ii) what incentives would have influenced businesses to remain in Illinois, and (iii) to which cities and states the businesses have relocated.

(c) For the purposes of this Section, a business is defined as one that is engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce for the purpose of manufacturing, processing, assembling, warehousing, or distributing products, conducting research and development, providing tourism services, or providing services in interstate commerce, office industries, or agricultural processing, but excluding retail, retail food, health, or professional services.

(d) The Department shall adopt rules for the implementation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-721, eff. 6-29-12.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-460)

Sec. 605-460. Engineering excellence program.

(a) Coordination between engineering schools and private business is an important tool in fostering innovation. Universities have eager students, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art research facilities. Businesses have existing markets, production capital, and evolving needs. The General Assembly believes that universities and businesses should share resources to allow students to participate in the research and development area of innovative design and to allow businesses to benefit from the developing skills of these students.

(b) In order to facilitate engineering excellence, the Department may develop a program to achieve the goals set forth in subsection (a). Under this program, the Department may:

(1) Annually contact the State's major public and private universities with engineering schools.

(2) Request a one-page written summary of the internship, externship, or residency programs operated by the engineering college of each of the contacted universities.

(3) Identify the manufacturing businesses within 50 miles of each university that responded under paragraph (2) that could benefit from assistance in the area of innovative design.

(4) Send a letter to each manufacturer identified under paragraph (3), informing it of the university's program and advising the business to contact the university if it wishes to participate in the engineering school's program.

(c) The Department may adopt rules for the implementation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-465)

Sec. 605-465. Comprehensive website information.

(a) The Department's official website must contain a comprehensive list of State, local, and federal economic benefits available to businesses in each of the State's counties and municipalities that the Department includes on its website. In order to do so:

(1) The Department annually must request a summary of available economic benefits from each of the State's counties and municipalities that are linked to the Department's website.

(2) The information obtained under paragraph (1) must be published on the related web pages of the Department's website.

(3) The Department's website shall also provide information regarding available federal economic benefits to the extent possible.

(b) The Department shall adopt rules for the implementation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-721, eff. 6-29-12.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-490) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.10)

Sec. 605-490. Recommending legislation. To recommend legislation relating to the economic development of the State.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-495) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19)

Sec. 605-495. Other acts to foster and promote industrial development and economic welfare. To do other acts that, in the judgment of the Department, are necessary and proper in fostering and promoting the industrial development and economic welfare of the State. The Department, however, shall have no power to require reports from or to regulate any business.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-500) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.13)

Sec. 605-500. Business Assistance Office. To create a Business Assistance Office to do the following:

(1) Provide information to new and existing businesses for all State government forms and applications and make this information readily available through a business permit center. The Office shall not assume any regulatory function. All State agencies shall cooperate with the business permit center to provide the necessary information, materials, and assistance to enable the center to carry out its function in an effective manner. Each agency shall designate an individual to serve as liaison to the center to provide information and materials and to respond to requests for assistance from businesses.

(2) Provide technical and managerial assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses by (i) contracting with local development organizations, chambers of commerce, and industry or trade associations with technical and managerial expertise located in the State, whenever possible, and (ii) establishing a network of small business development centers throughout the State.

(3) Assess the fiscal impact of proposed rules upon small business and work with agencies in developing flexible regulations through a regulatory review program.

(4) Provide detailed and comprehensive assistance to businesses interested in obtaining federal or State government contracts through a network of local procurement centers. The Department shall make a special and continuing effort to assist minority and female owned businesses, including but not limited to the designation of special minority and female business advocates, and shall make additional efforts to assist those located in labor surplus areas. The Department shall, through its network of local procurement centers, make every effort to provide opportunities for small businesses to participate in the procurement process. The Department shall utilize one or more of the following techniques. These techniques are to be in addition to any other procurement requirements imposed by Public Act 83-1341 or by any other Act.

(A) Advance notice by the Department or other appropriate State entity of possible procurement opportunities should be made available to interested small businesses.

(B) Publication of procurement opportunities in publications likely to be obtained by small businesses.

(C) Direct notification, whenever the Department deems it feasible, of interested small businesses.

(D) Conduct of public hearings and training sessions, when possible, regarding State and federal government procurement policies.

The Department of Central Management Services shall cooperate with the Department in providing information on the method and procedure by which a small business becomes involved in the State or federal government procurement process.

(5) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-503)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-746)

Sec. 605-503. Entrepreneurship assistance centers.

(a) The Department shall establish and support, subject to appropriation, entrepreneurship assistance centers, including the issuance of grants, at career education agencies and not-for-profit corporations, including, but not limited to, local development corporations, chambers of commerce, community-based business outreach centers, and other community-based organizations. The purpose of the centers shall be to train minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs in the principles and practice of entrepreneurship in order to prepare those persons to pursue self-employment opportunities and to pursue a minority business enterprise or a women-owned business enterprise. The centers shall provide for training in all aspects of business development and small business management as defined by the Department.

(b) The Department shall establish criteria for selection and designation of the centers which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) the level of support for the center from local post-secondary education institutions, businesses, and government;

(2) the level of financial assistance provided at the local and federal level to support the operations of the center;

(3) the applicant's understanding of program goals and objectives articulated by the Department;

(4) the plans of the center to supplement State and local funding through fees for services which may be based on a sliding scale based on ability to pay;

(5) the need for and anticipated impact of the center on the community in which it will function;

(6) the quality of the proposed work plan and staff of the center; and

(7) the extent of economic distress in the area to be served.

(c) Each center shall:

(1) be operated by a board of directors representing community leaders in business, education, finance, and government;

(2) be incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation;

(3) be located in an area accessible to eligible clients;

(4) establish an advisory group of community business experts, at least one-half of whom shall be representative of the clientele to be served by the center, which shall constitute a support network to provide counseling and mentoring services to minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs from the concept stage of development through the first one to 2 years of existence on a regular basis and as needed thereafter; and

(5) establish a referral system and linkages to existing area small business assistance programs and financing sources.

(d) Each entrepreneurship assistance center shall provide needed services to eligible clients, including, but not limited to: (i) orientation and screening of prospective entrepreneurs; (ii) analysis of business concepts and technical feasibility; (iii) market analysis; (iv) management analysis and counseling; (v) business planning and financial planning assistance; (vi) referrals to financial resources; (vii) referrals to existing educational programs for training in such areas as marketing, accounting, and other training programs as may be necessary and available; and (viii) referrals to business incubator facilities, when appropriate, for the purpose of entering into agreements to access shared support services.

(e) Applications for grants made under this Section shall be made in the manner and on forms prescribed by the Department. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) a description of the training programs available within the geographic area to be served by the center to which eligible clients may be referred;

(2) designation of a program director;

(3) plans for providing ongoing technical assistance to program graduates, including linkages with providers of other entrepreneurial assistance programs and with providers of small business technical assistance and services;

(4) a program budget, including matching funds, in-kind and otherwise, to be provided by the applicant; and

(5) any other requirements as deemed necessary by the Department.

(f) Grants made under this Section shall be disbursed for payment of the cost of services and expenses of the program director, the instructors of the participating career education agency or not-for-profit corporation, the faculty and support personnel thereof, and any other person in the service of providing instruction and counseling in furtherance of the program.

(g) The Department shall monitor the performance of each entrepreneurial assistance center and require quarterly reports from each center at such time and in such a manner as prescribed by the Department.

The Department shall also evaluate the entrepreneurial assistance centers established under this Section and report annually beginning on January 1, 2023, and on or before January 1 of each year thereafter, the results of the evaluation to the Governor and the General Assembly. The report shall discuss the extent to which the centers serve minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs; the extent to which the training program is coordinated with other assistance programs targeted to small and new businesses; the ability of the program to leverage other sources of funding and support; and the success of the program in aiding entrepreneurs to start up new businesses, including the number of new business start-ups resulting from the program. The report shall recommend changes and improvements in the training program and in the quality of supplemental technical assistance offered to graduates of the training programs. The report shall be made available to the public on the Department's website. Between evaluation due dates, the Department shall maintain the necessary records and data required to satisfy the evaluation requirements.

(h) For purposes of this Section:

"Entrepreneurship assistance center" or "center" means the business development centers or programs which provide assistance to primarily minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs under this Section.

"Disability" means, with respect to an individual: (i) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; (ii) a record of such an impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having an impairment.

"Minority business enterprise" has the same meaning as provided for "minority-owned business" under Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Minority group member" has the same meaning as provided for "minority person" under Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Women-owned business enterprise" has the same meaning as provided for "women-owned business" under Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Veteran" means a person who served in and who has received an honorable or general discharge from, the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or reserves thereof, or who served in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, or Illinois National Guard.

"Youth entrepreneur" means a person who is between the ages of 16 and 29 years old and is seeking community support to start a business in Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 102-272, eff. 1-1-22; 102-821, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-746)

Sec. 605-503. Entrepreneurship assistance centers.

(a) The Department shall establish and support, subject to appropriation, entrepreneurship assistance centers, including the issuance of grants, at career education agencies and not-for-profit corporations, including, but not limited to, local development corporations, chambers of commerce, community-based business outreach centers, and other community-based organizations. The purpose of the centers shall be to train minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs in the principles and practice of entrepreneurship in order to prepare those persons to pursue self-employment opportunities and to pursue a minority business enterprise or a women-owned business enterprise. The centers shall provide for training in all aspects of business development and small business management as defined by the Department.

(b) The Department shall establish criteria for selection and designation of the centers which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) the level of support for the center from local post-secondary education institutions, businesses, and government;

(2) the level of financial assistance provided at the local and federal level to support the operations of the center;

(3) the applicant's understanding of program goals and objectives articulated by the Department;

(4) the plans of the center to supplement State and local funding through fees for services which may be based on a sliding scale based on ability to pay;

(5) the need for and anticipated impact of the center on the community in which it will function;

(6) the quality of the proposed work plan and staff of the center; and

(7) the extent of economic distress in the area to be served.

(c) Each center shall:

(1) be operated by a board of directors representing community leaders in business, education, finance, and government;

(2) be incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation;

(3) be located in an area accessible to eligible clients;

(4) establish an advisory group of community business experts, at least one-half of whom shall be representative of the clientele to be served by the center, which shall constitute a support network to provide counseling and mentoring services to minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs from the concept stage of development through the first one to 2 years of existence on a regular basis and as needed thereafter; and

(5) establish a referral system and linkages to existing area small business assistance programs and financing sources.

(d) Each entrepreneurship assistance center shall provide needed services to eligible clients, including, but not limited to: (i) orientation and screening of prospective entrepreneurs; (ii) analysis of business concepts and technical feasibility; (iii) market analysis; (iv) management analysis and counseling; (v) business planning and financial planning assistance; (vi) referrals to financial resources; (vii) referrals to existing educational programs for training in such areas as marketing, accounting, and other training programs as may be necessary and available; and (viii) referrals to business incubator facilities, when appropriate, for the purpose of entering into agreements to access shared support services.

(e) Applications for grants made under this Section shall be made in the manner and on forms prescribed by the Department. The application shall include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) a description of the training programs available within the geographic area to be served by the center to which eligible clients may be referred;

(2) designation of a program director;

(3) plans for providing ongoing technical assistance to program graduates, including linkages with providers of other entrepreneurial assistance programs and with providers of small business technical assistance and services;

(4) a program budget, including matching funds, in-kind and otherwise, to be provided by the applicant; and

(5) any other requirements as deemed necessary by the Department.

(f) Grants made under this Section shall be disbursed for payment of the cost of services and expenses of the program director, the instructors of the participating career education agency or not-for-profit corporation, the faculty and support personnel thereof, and any other person in the service of providing instruction and counseling in furtherance of the program.

(g) The Department shall monitor the performance of each entrepreneurial assistance center and require quarterly reports from each center at such time and in such a manner as prescribed by the Department.

The Department shall also evaluate the entrepreneurial assistance centers established under this Section and report annually beginning on January 1, 2023, and on or before January 1 of each year thereafter, the results of the evaluation to the Governor and the General Assembly. The report shall discuss the extent to which the centers serve minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs; the extent to which the training program is coordinated with other assistance programs targeted to small and new businesses; the ability of the program to leverage other sources of funding and support; and the success of the program in aiding entrepreneurs to start up new businesses, including the number of new business start-ups resulting from the program. The report shall recommend changes and improvements in the training program and in the quality of supplemental technical assistance offered to graduates of the training programs. The report shall be made available to the public on the Department's website. Between evaluation due dates, the Department shall maintain the necessary records and data required to satisfy the evaluation requirements.

(h) For purposes of this Section:

"Entrepreneurship assistance center" or "center" means the business development centers or programs which provide assistance to primarily minority group members, women, individuals with a disability, dislocated workers, veterans, and youth entrepreneurs under this Section.

"Disability" means, with respect to an individual: (i) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; (ii) a record of such an impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having an impairment.

"Minority business enterprise" has the same meaning as provided for "minority-owned business" under Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Minority group member" has the same meaning as provided for "minority person" under Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Women-owned business enterprise" has the same meaning as provided for "women-owned business" under Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Veteran" means a person who served in and who has received an honorable or general discharge from, the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or reserves thereof, or who served in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, or Illinois National Guard.

"Youth entrepreneur" means a person who is between the ages of 16 and 29 years old and is seeking community support to start a business in Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 102-272, eff. 1-1-22; 102-821, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-746, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-505) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.15)

Sec. 605-505. Aid in obtaining governmental and private services. To aid Illinois businesses in obtaining services available from governmental and private sources.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-510) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19h)

Sec. 605-510. Study of laws affecting small business. To study the effect of laws affecting small business to determine whether those laws impede the creation of small businesses or create economic damages for any small business group that may jeopardize the small business group's continuation in the marketplace or its valuable contribution to the economic growth of this State. The study may be conducted in cooperation with the department or agency administering the law whose effect is the subject of the study. A general study of the laws affecting the creation of small businesses in this State may be undertaken by the Department and the results reported to the Governor and the General Assembly.

An economic impact review may be made at least every 2 years, and pertinent information shall be gathered from the business segment affected to determine whether the laws need amendment to relieve business losses while retaining the substance of the legislation, or whether the original purpose has been accomplished and the laws should be repealed. The review shall be reported to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the administrating State agency, as well as to the business associations most directly representing the business group involved.

The Director may appoint a task force to assist the Department in conducting the studies and reviews required under this Section. The task force will consist of persons representing small business and persons representing the affected State departments and agencies. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses in connection with their duties out of money available to the Department for that purpose.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 92-298, eff. 8-9-01.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-512) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.70)

Sec. 605-512. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01. Repealed internally, eff. 12-31-04.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-515) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.13a)

Sec. 605-515. Environmental Regulatory Assistance Program.

(a) In this Section, except where the context clearly requires otherwise, "small business stationary source" means a business that is owned or operated by a person that employs 100 or fewer individuals; is a small business; is not a major stationary source as defined in Titles I and III of the federal 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments; does not emit 50 tons or more per year of any regulated pollutant (as defined under the federal Clean Air Act); and emits less than 75 tons per year of all regulated pollutants.

(b) The Department may:

(1) Provide access to technical and compliance information for Illinois firms, including small and middle market companies, to facilitate local business compliance with the federal, State, and local environmental regulations.

(2) Coordinate and enter into cooperative agreements with a State ombudsman office, which shall be established in accordance with the federal 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to provide direct oversight to the program established under that Act.

(3) Enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and financing agreements and establish and collect charges and fees necessary or incidental to the performance of duties and the execution of powers under this Section.

(4) Accept and expend, subject to appropriation, gifts, grants, awards, funds, contributions, charges, fees, and other financial or nonfinancial aid from federal, State, and local governmental agencies, businesses, educational agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and other entities, for the purposes of this Section.

(5) Establish, staff, and administer programs and services and adopt such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent of this Section and Section 507, "Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program", of the federal 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

(c) The Department's environmental compliance programs and services for businesses may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) Communication and outreach services to or on behalf of individual companies, including collection and compilation of appropriate information on regulatory compliance issues and control technologies, and dissemination of that information through publications, direct mailings, electronic communications, conferences, workshops, one-on-one counseling, and other means of technical assistance.

(2) Provision of referrals and access to technical assistance, pollution prevention and facility audits, and otherwise serving as an information clearinghouse on pollution prevention through the coordination of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center of the University of Illinois. In addition, environmental and regulatory compliance issues and techniques, which may include business rights and responsibilities, applicable permitting and compliance requirements, compliance methods and acceptable control technologies, release detection, and other applicable information may be provided.

(3) Coordination with and provision of administrative and logistical support to the State Compliance Advisory Panel.

(d) There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Small Business Environmental Assistance Fund. Monies received under subdivision (b)(4) of this Section shall be deposited into the Fund.

Monies in the Small Business Environmental Assistance Fund may be used, subject to appropriation, only for the purposes authorized by this Section.

(e) Subject to appropriation, the Department may use moneys from the Clean Air Act Permit Fund for the purposes authorized by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-520) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.63)

Sec. 605-520. Grants to businesses in municipal central business districts. To award grants to businesses in central business districts of municipalities to encourage and assist the businesses in maintaining their operations in those areas.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-523)

Sec. 605-523. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 93-790, eff. 1-1-05. Repealed by P.A. 100-621, eff. 7-20-18.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-524)

Sec. 605-524. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-1413, eff. 1-1-11. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-525)

Sec. 605-525. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 100-391, eff. 8-25-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-550)

Sec. 605-550. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-739, eff. 1-1-10. Repealed by P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-575)

Sec. 605-575. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-600) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19f)

Sec. 605-600. Buy Illinois Program. The Department shall have the authority to establish and administer a Buy Illinois Program, which may include, but is not limited to, the following powers and duties:

(1) To accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal government or the State or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and to assess fees for any services performed under the Buy Illinois Program, to carry out the program.

(2) To form a Buy Illinois Council, made up of Illinois large firms and small firms, to provide advice and counsel in directing a statewide program.

(3) To publicize and advertise to Illinois firms and government agencies the importance and benefits of buying goods and services provided by vendors located within the State.

(4) To secure the cooperation of Illinois' large firms, federal, State and local governments, non-profit agencies, international organizations, and others to carry out this program.

(5) To match the needs for products and services by business firms and government agencies with the capabilities of small Illinois firms that can provide those needed goods and services.

(6) To hold purchasing agent seminars, fairs, conferences and workshops to aid small Illinois businesses in obtaining contracts for goods and services from larger firms and government agencies within the State.

(7) To assist business firms and government agencies to analyze their buying activities and to find ways to carry out those activities in an effective and economical manner, while promoting subcontract activity with small Illinois firms.

(8) To establish manual and electronic buying directories, including stand alone computer data bases that list qualified vendors and procurement opportunities.

(9) To promote through other means the use by international agencies, government agencies, and larger businesses of products and services produced by small Illinois firms.

(10) To subcontract, grant funds, or otherwise participate with qualified private firms, existing procurement centers, or other organizations that have designed programs approved in accordance with procedures determined by the Department, that are aimed at assisting small Illinois firms in obtaining contracts for products and services from local government agencies and larger Illinois businesses.

(11) To develop and administer guidelines for projects that provide assistance to the Department in connection with the Buy Illinois Program.

(12) To form the Illinois Food Systems Policy Council to develop policies around food access and security, improve individual health and well-being, promote economic incentives for Illinois farmers, agri-businesses, and other private enterprises, and encourage public/private partnerships around healthy food options. Membership on the Council shall include the Director or Secretary, or his or her designee, of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Central Management Services, the State Board of Education, and the Food Nutrition and Education Program. The Council shall consult with farmers and farm associations, businesses and business associations, including agri-businesses and food processing businesses, and community based organizations, including those working on food access, security, and delivery and on obesity prevention. Administration of the Council and its functions shall be shared among the Council members pursuant to an interagency agreement from funds appropriated for this purpose or from existing funds within the budgets of the Council's members. The Council may submit, in consultation and collaboration with the associations, businesses, organizations, and entities listed in this Section, an annual report to the General Assembly describing the Council's work, which may include performance indicators to measure the impact of policies and practices adopted by the Council.

(Source: P.A. 94-77, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-605) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.57)

Sec. 605-605. Illinois Product and Services Exchange Law.

(a) This Section may be cited as the Illinois Product and Services Exchange Law.

(b) It is hereby found and declared that many large Illinois firms and government agencies are purchasing products and services from vendors in locations other than Illinois, and that there is a need to assist those large businesses and government agencies in locating Illinois vendors who can provide those products and services of equal quality and at comparable or lower costs; it is further found and declared that the purchase of needed products and services within the State by large firms and government agencies would aid the survival and expansion of small businesses in Illinois and help to strengthen the State's economy.

(c) As used in this Section, "Illinois Product and Services Exchange" means a program aimed at promoting the purchase of goods and services produced in Illinois by firms and government agencies within the State.

(d) The Department shall have the authority to establish and administer an Illinois Product and Services Exchange Program, which may include, but is not limited to, the following powers and duties:

(1) To accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal government or the State or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and to assess fees for any services performed under the Illinois Product and Services Exchange Program, to carry out the Program.

(2) To form an Illinois Product and Services Exchange Council, made up of Illinois large firms and small firms to provide advice and counsel in directing a statewide Product and Services Exchange Program.

(3) To publicize and advertise to Illinois firms and government agencies the importance and benefits of buying goods and services provided by vendors located within the State.

(4) To secure the cooperation of Illinois' large firms, federal, State, and local governments, non-profit agencies, and others to carry out this program.

(5) To match the needs for products and services of business firms and government agencies with the capabilities of small Illinois firms that can provide those needed goods and services.

(6) To hold purchasing agent seminars, fairs, conferences, and workshops to aid small Illinois businesses in obtaining contracts for goods and services from larger firms and government agencies within the State.

(7) To assist business firms and government agencies to analyze their buying activities and to find ways to carry out those activities in an effective and economical manner, while promoting subcontract activity with small Illinois firms.

(8) To establish manual and electronic buying directories, including stand alone computer data bases that list qualified vendors and procurement opportunities.

(9) To promote through other means the use by government agencies and large businesses of products and services produced by small Illinois firms.

(10) To subcontract, grant funds, or otherwise participate with qualified private firms, existing procurement centers, or other organizations that have designed programs, approved in accordance with procedures determined by the Department, that are aimed at assisting small Illinois firms obtain contracts for products and services from local government agencies and large Illinois businesses.

(11) To develop and administer guidelines for projects that provide assistance to the Department in connection with the Illinois Product and Services Exchange Program.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-607)

Sec. 605-607. Promoting government contracts to small manufacturers. To create and maintain a program that generates awareness among Illinois small manufacturers regarding opportunities to bid for work on federal, State, and local government contracts.

(Source: P.A. 94-437, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-610) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.14)

Sec. 605-610. Assistance with foreign trade. To assist Illinois businesses to engage in, expand, and increase foreign trade.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-615) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19e)

Sec. 605-615. Assistance with exports. The Department shall have the following duties and responsibilities in regard to the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois:

(1) To establish or cosponsor mentoring conferences, utilizing experienced manufacturing exporters, to explain and provide information to prospective export manufacturers and businesses concerning the process of exporting to both domestic and international opportunities.

(2) To provide technical assistance to prospective export manufacturers and businesses seeking to establish domestic and international export opportunities.

(3) To coordinate with the Department's Small Business Development Centers to link buyers with prospective export manufacturers and businesses.

(4) To promote, both domestically and abroad, products made in Illinois in order to inform consumers and buyers of their high quality standards and craftsmanship.

(5) To provide technical assistance toward establishment of export trade corporations in the private sector.

(6) To develop an electronic database to compile information on international trade and investment activities in Illinois companies.

(7) To collect and distribute to foreign commercial libraries directories, catalogs, brochures, and other information of value to foreign businesses considering doing business in this State.

(8) To establish an export finance awareness program to provide information to banking organizations about methods used by banks to provide financing for businesses engaged in exporting and about other State and federal programs to promote and expedite export financing.

(9) To undertake a survey of Illinois' businesses to identify exportable products and the businesses interested in exporting.

(Source: P.A. 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-620) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.24)

Sec. 605-620. Exports of professional services and agricultural and manufactured products. In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the International Trade and Port Promotion Advisory Committee, to (i) provide assistance to those manufacturing and service companies that desire to export agricultural machinery, implements, equipment, other manufactured products, and professional services; (ii) encourage Illinois companies to initiate exporting or increase their export sales of agricultural and manufactured products; (iii) cooperate with agencies and instrumentalities of the federal government in trade development activities in overseas markets; (iv) conduct the necessary research within Illinois and in overseas markets in order to assist exporting companies; (v) promote the State of Illinois as a source of agricultural and manufactured products through information and promotion campaigns overseas; and (vi) conduct an information program for foreign buyers of Illinois agricultural and manufactured products.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-625) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.25)

Sec. 605-625. Promotion of water ports and airport facilities. In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the International Trade and Port Promotion Advisory Committee, to (i) establish a freight rate information service for U.S. and foreign shippers; (ii) promote the advantages of Illinois water ports and existing airport facilities through appropriate means and media in this country and overseas; and (iii) cooperate with the export expansion projects and any other activity that results in the additional flow of agricultural and manufactured products through the Illinois water ports and existing airport facilities.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-630) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.26)

Sec. 605-630. Overseas offices. In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and with the counsel of the International Trade and Port Promotion Advisory Committee, to establish overseas offices for (i) the promotion of the export of Illinois agricultural and manufactured products; (ii) representation of Illinois seaports; (iii) economic development; and (iv) tourism promotion and services.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-675) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.66)

Sec. 605-675. Exporter award program. The Department may establish and operate, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Finance Authority, an annual awards program to recognize Illinois-based exporters. In developing criteria for the awards, the Department shall give consideration to the exporting efforts of small and medium sized businesses, first-time exporters, and other appropriate categories.

(Source: P.A. 96-739, eff. 1-1-10.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-680)

Sec. 605-680. Illinois goods and services website.

(a) The Department, in consultation with the Department of Innovation and Technology, must establish and maintain an Internet website devoted to the marketing of Illinois goods and services by linking potential purchasers with producers of goods and services who are located in the State.

(b) The Department must, subject to appropriation, advertise the website to encourage inclusion of producers on the website and to encourage the use of the website by potential purchasers.

(Source: P.A. 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-685)

Sec. 605-685. Business park certification program.

(a) The Department may, subject to appropriation, establish and maintain a program devoted to encouraging the rapid establishment of businesses and employers in business parks by developing standards for the development, location, and maintenance of business parks in the State and by certifying business parks that meet or exceed those standards.

(b) The Department may, subject to appropriation, advertise the program to encourage business park certification and business development and location in certified business parks.

(c) The Department must adopt rules to administer the provisions of this Section.

(d) A business park that meets the Department's certification standards and that was established before the effective date of this amendatory Act may receive certification under the program.

(Source: P.A. 94-598, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-700) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.6)

Sec. 605-700. Tourism promotion. To encourage and promote tourism within the State.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-705) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.6a)

Sec. 605-705. Grants to local tourism and convention bureaus.

(a) To establish a grant program for local tourism and convention bureaus. The Department will develop and implement a program for the use of funds, as authorized under this Act, by local tourism and convention bureaus. For the purposes of this Act, bureaus eligible to receive funds are those local tourism and convention bureaus that are (i) either units of local government or incorporated as not-for-profit organizations; (ii) in legal existence for a minimum of 2 years before July 1, 2001; (iii) operating with a paid, full-time staff whose sole purpose is to promote tourism in the designated service area; and (iv) affiliated with one or more municipalities or counties that support the bureau with local hotel-motel taxes. After July 1, 2001, bureaus requesting certification in order to receive funds for the first time must be local tourism and convention bureaus that are (i) either units of local government or incorporated as not-for-profit organizations; (ii) in legal existence for a minimum of 2 years before the request for certification; (iii) operating with a paid, full-time staff whose sole purpose is to promote tourism in the designated service area; and (iv) affiliated with multiple municipalities or counties that support the bureau with local hotel-motel taxes. Each bureau receiving funds under this Act will be certified by the Department as the designated recipient to serve an area of the State. Notwithstanding the criteria set forth in this subsection (a), or any rule adopted under this subsection (a), the Director of the Department may provide for the award of grant funds to one or more entities if in the Department's judgment that action is necessary in order to prevent a loss of funding critical to promoting tourism in a designated geographic area of the State.

(b) To distribute grants to local tourism and convention bureaus from appropriations made from the Local Tourism Fund for that purpose. Of the amounts appropriated annually to the Department for expenditure under this Section prior to July 1, 2011, one-third of those monies shall be used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in cities with a population greater than 500,000. The remaining two-thirds of the annual appropriation prior to July 1, 2011 shall be used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in the remainder of the State, in accordance with a formula based upon the population served. Of the amounts appropriated annually to the Department for expenditure under this Section beginning July 1, 2011, 18% of such moneys shall be used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in cities with a population greater than 500,000. Of the amounts appropriated annually to the Department for expenditure under this Section beginning July 1, 2011, 82% of such moneys shall be used for grants to convention bureaus in the remainder of the State, in accordance with a formula based upon the population served. The Department may reserve up to 3% of total local tourism funds available for costs of administering the program to conduct audits of grants, to provide incentive funds to those bureaus that will conduct promotional activities designed to further the Department's statewide advertising campaign, to fund special statewide promotional activities, and to fund promotional activities that support an increased use of the State's parks or historic sites. The Department shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant under this Section that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 50% of the grant amount, except that: (1) in Fiscal Years 2021 through 2024 only, the Department shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant under this Section that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 25% of the grant amount; (2) in Fiscal Year 2025, the Department shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant under this Section that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 30% of the grant amount; and (3) in Fiscal Year 2026, the Department shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant under this Section that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 40% of the grant amount. During fiscal year 2013, the Department shall reserve $2,000,000 of the available local tourism funds for appropriation to the Historic Preservation Agency for the operation of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and State historic sites.

To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the changes made by Public Act 101-636, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 101-636 may be adopted by the Department subject to the provisions of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-699, eff. 4-19-22; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-707) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.6d)

Sec. 605-707. International Tourism Program.

(a) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must establish a program for international tourism. The Department shall develop and implement the program on January 1, 2000 by rule. As part of the program, the Department may work in cooperation with local convention and tourism bureaus in Illinois in the coordination of international tourism efforts at the State and local level. The Department may (i) work in cooperation with local convention and tourism bureaus for efficient use of their international tourism marketing resources, (ii) promote Illinois in international meetings and tourism markets, (iii) work with convention and tourism bureaus throughout the State to increase the number of international tourists to Illinois, (iv) provide training, research, technical support, and grants to certified convention and tourism bureaus, (v) provide staff, administration, and related support required to manage the programs under this Section, and (vi) provide grants for the development of or the enhancement of international tourism attractions.

(b) The Department shall make grants for expenses related to international tourism and pay for the staffing, administration, and related support from the International Tourism Fund, a special fund created in the State Treasury. Of the amounts deposited into the Fund in fiscal year 2000 after January 1, 2000 through fiscal year 2011, 55% shall be used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago (other than the City of Chicago's Office of Tourism) and 45% shall be used for development of international tourism in areas outside of Chicago. Of the amounts deposited into the Fund in fiscal year 2001 and thereafter, 55% shall be used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago, and of that amount not less than 27.5% shall be used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago other than the City of Chicago's Office of Tourism, and 45% shall be used for administrative expenses and grants authorized under this Section and development of international tourism in areas outside of Chicago, of which not less than $1,000,000 shall be used annually to make grants to convention and tourism bureaus in cities other than Chicago that demonstrate their international tourism appeal and request to develop or expand their international tourism marketing program, and may also be used to provide grants under item (vi) of subsection (a) of this Section. All of the amounts deposited into the Fund in fiscal year 2012 and thereafter shall be used for administrative expenses and grants authorized under this Section and development of international tourism in areas outside of Chicago, of which not less than $1,000,000 shall be used annually to make grants to convention and tourism bureaus in cities other than Chicago that demonstrate their international tourism appeal and request to develop or expand their international tourism marketing program, and may also be used to provide grants under item (vi) of subsection (a) of this Section. Amounts appropriated to the State Comptroller for administrative expenses and grants authorized by the Illinois Global Partnership Act are payable from the International Tourism Fund. For Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 only, the administrative expenses by the Department and the grants to convention and visitors bureaus outside the City of Chicago may be expended for the general purposes of promoting conventions and tourism.

(c) A convention and tourism bureau is eligible to receive grant moneys under this Section if the bureau is certified to receive funds under Title 14 of the Illinois Administrative Code, Section 550.35. To be eligible for a grant, a convention and tourism bureau must provide matching funds equal to the grant amount. The Department shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant under this Section that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 50% of the grant amount. In certain circumstances as determined by the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, however, the City of Chicago's Office of Tourism or any other convention and tourism bureau may provide matching funds equal to no less than 50% of the grant amount to be eligible to receive the grant. One-half of this 50% may be provided through in-kind contributions. Grants received by the City of Chicago's Office of Tourism and by convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago may be expended for the general purposes of promoting conventions and tourism.

(Source: P.A. 101-636, eff. 6-10-20; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-710)

Sec. 605-710. Regional tourism development organizations.

(a) The Department may, subject to appropriation, provide grants from the Tourism Promotion Fund for the administrative costs of not-for-profit regional tourism development organizations that assist the Department in developing tourism throughout a multi-county geographical area designated by the Department. Regional tourism development organizations receiving funds under this Section may be required by the Department to submit to audits of contracts awarded by the Department to determine whether the regional tourism development organization has performed all contractual obligations under those contracts.

Every employee of a regional tourism development organization receiving funds under this Section shall disclose to the organization's governing board and to the Department any economic interest that employee may have in any entity with which the regional tourism development organization has contracted or to which the regional tourism development organization has granted funds.

(b) The Department, from moneys appropriated from the Tourism Promotion Fund, shall first provide funding of $5,000,000 annually to a governmental entity with at least 2,000,000 square feet of exhibition space that has as part of its duties the promotion of cultural, scientific and trade exhibits and events within a county with a population of more than 3,000,000, to be used for any of the governmental entity's general corporate purposes.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-715) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.59)

Sec. 605-715. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 91-798, eff. 7-9-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-720) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.16)

Sec. 605-720. Publicizing Illinois facilities and attractions. To encourage and assist the efforts of other public and private organizations or groups of citizens to publicize the facilities and attractions of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-725)

Sec. 605-725. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-898, eff. 5-27-10. Repealed by P.A. 97-617, eff. 10-26-11.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-750)

Sec. 605-750. Posting requirements; Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. The Department must comply with the Internet posting requirements set forth in Section 7.2 of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Act. The information must be posted on the Department's Internet website no later than 30 days after the Department receives the information from the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.

(Source: P.A. 100-477, eff. 9-8-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-800) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19a in part)

Sec. 605-800. Training grants for skills in critical demand.

(a) Grants to provide training in fields affected by critical demands for certain skills may be made as provided in this Section.

(b) The Director may make grants to eligible employers or to other eligible entities on behalf of employers as authorized in subsection (c) to provide training for employees in fields for which there are critical demands for certain skills. No participating employee may be a person without employment authorization under federal law.

(c) The Director may accept applications for training grant funds and grant requests from: (i) entities sponsoring multi-company eligible employee training projects as defined in subsection (d), including business associations, strategic business partnerships, institutions of secondary or higher education, large manufacturers for supplier network companies, federal Job Training Partnership Act administrative entities or grant recipients, and labor organizations when those projects will address common training needs identified by participating companies; and (ii) individual employers that are undertaking eligible employee training projects as defined in subsection (d), including intermediaries and training agents.

(d) The Director may make grants to eligible applicants as defined in subsection (c) for employee training projects that include, but need not be limited to, one or more of the following:

(1) Training programs in response to new or changing technology being introduced in the workplace.

(2) Job-linked training that offers special skills for career advancement or that is preparatory for, and leads directly to, jobs with definite career potential and long-term job security.

(3) Training necessary to implement total quality management or improvement or both management and improvement systems within the workplace.

(4) Training related to new machinery or equipment.

(5) Training of employees of companies that are expanding into new markets or expanding exports from Illinois.

(6) Basic, remedial, or both basic and remedial training of employees as a prerequisite for other vocational or technical skills training or as a condition for sustained employment.

(7) Self-employment training of the unemployed and underemployed with comprehensive, competency-based instructional programs and services, entrepreneurial education and training initiatives for youth and adult learners in cooperation with the Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurial Education, training and education, conferences, workshops, and best practice information for local program operators of entrepreneurial education and self-employment training programs.

(8) Other training activities or projects, or both training activities and projects, related to the support, development, or evaluation of job training programs, activities, and delivery systems, including training needs assessment and design.

(e) Grants shall be made on the terms and conditions that the Department shall determine. No grant made under subsection (d), however, shall exceed 50% of the direct costs of all approved training programs provided by the employer or the employer's training agent or other entity as defined in subsection (c). Under this Section, allowable costs include, but are not limited to:

(1) Administrative costs of tracking, documenting, reporting, and processing training funds or project costs.

(2) Curriculum development.

(3) Wages and fringe benefits of employees.

(4) Training materials, including scrap product costs.

(5) Trainee travel expenses.

(6) Instructor costs, including wages, fringe benefits, tuition, and travel expenses.

(7) Rent, purchase, or lease of training equipment.

(8) Other usual and customary training costs.

(f) The Department may conduct on-site grant monitoring visits to verify trainee employment dates and wages and to ensure that the grantee's financial management system is structured to provide for accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of the grant program in accordance with all provisions, terms, and conditions contained in the grant contract. Each applicant must, on request by the Department, provide to the Department a notarized certification signed and dated by a duly authorized representative of the applicant, or that representative's authorized designee, certifying that all participating employees are employed at an Illinois facility and, for each participating employee, stating the employee's name and providing either (i) the employee's social security number or (ii) a statement that the applicant has adequate written verification that the employee is employed at an Illinois facility. The Department may audit the accuracy of submissions. Applicants sponsoring multi-company training grant programs shall obtain information meeting the requirement of this subsection from each participating company and provide it to the Department upon request.

(g) The Director may establish and collect a schedule of charges from subgrantee entities and other system users under federal job-training programs for participating in and utilizing the Department's automated job-training program information systems if the systems and the necessary participation and utilization are requirements of the federal job-training programs. All monies collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the Federal Workforce Training Fund and may be used, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, only for the purpose of financing the maintenance and operation of the automated federal job-training information systems.

(Source: P.A. 102-1030, eff. 5-27-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-805)

Sec. 605-805. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-704, eff. 7-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-807)

Sec. 605-807. Federal Workforce Training Fund.

(a) The Federal Workforce Training Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Department may accept gifts, grants, awards, matching contributions, interest income, appropriations, and cost sharings from individuals, businesses, governments, and other third party sources, on terms that the Director deems advisable. Moneys received under this Section may be expended for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those moneys are received, subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly for those purposes.

(b) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, all moneys received by the State pursuant to the federal Workforce Investment Act or Section 403(a)(5) of the federal Social Security Act shall be deposited into the Federal Workforce Training Fund, to be used for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those moneys are received by the State, except that any moneys received pursuant to the federal Workforce Investment Act and necessary to pay liabilities incurred in connection with that Act and outstanding as of June 30, 2003, or any moneys received pursuant to Section 403(a)(5) of the federal Social Security Act and necessary to pay liabilities incurred in connection with that Act and outstanding as of June 30, 2003, shall be deposited into the Title III Social Security and Employment Fund.

On September 1, 2003, or as soon thereafter as may be reasonably practical, the State Comptroller shall transfer all unobligated moneys received by the State pursuant to the federal Workforce Investment Act or Section 403(a)(5) of the federal Social Security Act from the Title III Social Security and Employment Fund to the Federal Workforce Training Fund. The moneys transferred pursuant to this Amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly may be used or expended for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those moneys were received by the State.

(c) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, all moneys received by the State pursuant to the federal Illinois Trade Adjustment Assistance Program shall be deposited into the Federal Workforce Training Fund, to be used for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those moneys are received by the State, except that any moneys received pursuant to the federal Illinois Trade Adjustment Assistance Program and necessary to pay liabilities incurred in connection with that program and outstanding as of June 30, 2003, shall be deposited into the Title III Social Security and Employment Fund.

On July 1, 2003 or as soon thereafter as may be reasonably practical, the State Comptroller shall make one or more transfers of all moneys received by the State pursuant to the federal Illinois Trade Adjustment Assistance Program in excess of those necessary to pay liabilities in connection with that program and outstanding as of June 30, 2003 from the Title III Social Security and Employment Fund to the Federal Workforce Training Fund. The moneys transferred pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly may be used or expended for purposes consistent with the conditions under which those moneys were received by the State.

(Source: P.A. 93-25, eff. 6-20-03.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-810) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19a in part)

Sec. 605-810. Reemployment of former employees. When the Department is involved in developing a federal or State funded training or retraining program for any employer, the Department may assist and encourage that employer in making every effort to reemploy individuals previously employed at the facility. Further, the Department may provide a list of those employees to the employer for consideration for reemployment. This requirement shall be in effect when all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The employer is reopening, or is proposing to reopen, a facility that was last closed during the preceding 2 years.

(2) A substantial number of the persons who were employed at the facility before its most recent closure remain unemployed.

(3) The product or service produced by, or proposed to be produced by, the employer at the facility is substantially similar to the product or service produced at the facility before its most recent closure.

(Source: P.A. 96-739, eff. 1-1-10.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-812)

Sec. 605-812. Employment opportunities grant program.

(a) The Department shall administer a grant program to expand employment opportunities for targeted populations in eligible grant areas in Illinois. The goal of the program shall be to expand the number of people in targeted populations who enter and complete building trades apprenticeship programs and achieve journey-level status within a building trades union.

(b) All successful grant applicants shall be required to partner with a joint labor and management-sponsored apprenticeship program or programs. All successful grant applicants must provide participating individuals with paid employment opportunities while participating in the program.

(c) The Department shall establish criteria for (i) prioritizing grant requests from eligible grant applicants and (ii) determining what project activities qualify for funding. Entities eligible to apply for grant funding shall include: community-based organizations and educational institutions. These eligible entities shall have the following capabilities: a demonstrated expertise in serving targeted populations; knowledge of the construction industry; demonstrated success in placing clients in employment; previous experience offering employment services for targeted populations; and expertise in preparing workers for employment in the building trades.

(d) The Department shall determine the targeted populations to be served by the program. The Department shall establish geographic boundaries of eligible grant areas.

(e) The Department shall require all successful grant applicants to report quarterly on implementation of planned activities and success in reaching key milestones. Successful grant applicants must also maintain and report individual-level information on types of services received and resulting outcomes, including placement into specific apprenticeship programs.

(f) The Department shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on December 31, 2007 and on December 31 of each year thereafter as long as grant-funded activities are provided on the activities undertaken by all successful grant applicants. The report shall include an evaluation of those activities and their success in assisting participating individuals to enter and complete building trades apprenticeship programs and achieve journey-level status.

(Source: P.A. 94-839, eff. 6-6-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-815) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19a in part)

Sec. 605-815. Unemployed and underemployed single parents. The Department, in cooperation with the Departments of Human Services and Employment Security, may establish a program to encourage community action agencies to establish programs that will help unemployed and underemployed single parents to identify, access, and develop, through such means as counseling or mentoring, internal and external resources that will enable those single parents to become emotionally and financially self-sufficient. The intended primary beneficiaries of the local programs shall be female heads of households who are at least 22 but less than 46 years of age and who are physically able to work but are unemployed or underemployed. The Department may make grants, subject to the availability of funding, to communities and local agencies for the purpose of establishing local programs as described in this Section. A grant under this Section shall be made for a period of one year and may be renewed if the Department determines that the program is successful in meeting its objectives. If the Department determines that implementation of a program has resulted in a savings of State moneys that otherwise would have been paid to beneficiaries of the program, the Department, on renewing a grant, may adjust the grant amount for those demonstrated savings.

For purposes of this Section, a person is underemployed if his or her income from employment is less than 185% of the federal official poverty income guideline.

(Source: P.A. 90-454, eff. 8-16-97; 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-817)

Sec. 605-817. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 99-642, eff. 7-28-16. Repealed by P.A. 100-621, eff. 7-20-18.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-820)

Sec. 605-820. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-825)

Sec. 605-825. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-850) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.32a in part)

Sec. 605-850. Labor-management-community relations; Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee.

(a) Because economic development investment programs must be supplemented with efforts to maintain a skilled, stable, and diverse workforce able to meet the needs of new and growing business enterprises, the Department shall promote better labor-management-community and government operations by providing assistance in the development of local labor-management-community committees and coalitions established to address employment issues facing families and by helping Illinois current and prospective employers attract and retain a diverse and productive workforce through the promotion and support of dependent care policies and programs in the workplace and community.

(b) In the Department there shall be a Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee composed of 18 public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Six members shall represent executive level management of businesses, 6 members shall represent major labor union leadership, and 6 members shall represent community leadership. The Governor shall designate one business representative and one labor representative as cochairmen. Appointed members shall not be represented at a meeting by another person. There shall be 9 ex officio nonvoting members: the Director, who shall serve as Secretary, the Director of Labor, the Secretary of Human Services, the Director of Public Health, the Director of Employment Security, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Each ex officio member shall serve during the term of his or her office. Ex officio members may be represented by duly authorized substitutes.

In making the initial public member appointments to the Committee, 3 of the business representatives and 3 of the labor union representatives shall be appointed for terms expiring July 1, 1987. The remaining public members shall be appointed for terms expiring July 1, 1988. The public members appointed under this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly shall be divided into 2 groups with the first group having terms that expire on July 1, 2002 and the second group having terms that expire on July 1, 2003. Thereafter, public members of the Committee shall be appointed for terms of 2 years expiring on July 1, or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The Governor may at any time, with the advice and consent of the Senate, make appointments to fill vacancies for the balance of an unexpired term. Public members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed by the Department for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Department shall provide staff assistance to the Committee.

(c) The Committee shall have the following duties:

(1) To improve communications between labor, management, and communities on significant economic problems facing the State, especially with respect to identifying new ways to attract and retain employees and provide an environment in which employees can do their best work.

(2) To encourage and support the development of local labor, management, and community committees at the plant, industry and area levels across the State and encourage and support the development of local coalitions to support the implementation of family-friendly policies in the workplace.

(3) To assess the progress of area labor-management-community committees and local coalitions that have been formed across the State and provide input to the Governor and General Assembly concerning grant programs established in this Act.

(4) To convene a statewide conference on labor-management-community concerns at least once every 2 years and to convene a series of regional work, family, and community planning conferences throughout the State for employers, unions, and community leaders to form local coalitions to share information, pool resources, and address work and family concerns in their own communities.

(5) To issue a report on labor-management-community and employment-related family concerns to the Governor and the General Assembly every 2 years. This report shall outline the accomplishments of the Committee and specific recommendations for improving statewide labor-management-community relations and supporting the adoption of family-friendly work practices throughout the State.

(6) To advise the Department on dependent care and other employment-related family initiatives.

(7) To advise the Department on other initiatives to foster maintenance and development of productive, stable, and diverse workforces to supplement and advance community and State investment-based economic development programs.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 91-476, eff. 8-11-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-855) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.32a in part)

Sec. 605-855. Grants to local coalitions and labor-management-community committees.

(a) The Director, with the advice of the Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee, shall have the authority to provide grants to employee coalitions or other coalitions that enhance or promote work and family programs and address specific community concerns, and to provide matching grants, grants, and other resources to establish or assist area labor-management-community committees and other projects that serve to enhance labor-management-community relations. The Department shall have the authority, with the advice of the Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee, to award grants or matching grants in the areas provided in subsections (b) through (g).

(b) Matching grants to existing local labor-management-community committees. To be eligible for matching grants pursuant to this subsection, local labor-management-community committees shall meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Be a formal, not-for-profit organization structured for continuing service with voluntary membership.

(2) Be composed of labor, management, and community representatives.

(3) Service a distinct and identifiable geographic region.

(4) Be staffed by a professional chief executive officer.

(5) Have been established with the Department for at least 2 years.

(6) Operate in compliance with rules set forth by the Department with the advice of the Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee.

(7) Ensure that their efforts and activities are coordinated with relevant agencies, including but not limited to the following:

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Illinois Department of Labor

Economic development agencies

Planning agencies

Colleges, universities, and community colleges

U.S. Department of Labor

Statewide Job Training Partnership Act entities or entities under any successor federal workforce training and development legislation.

Further, the purpose of the local labor-management-community committees will include, but not be limited to, the following:

(i) Enhancing the positive labor-management-community relationship within the State, region, community, and/or work place.

(ii) Assisting in the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and jobs within the State through special training programs, gathering and disseminating information, and providing assistance in local economic development efforts as appropriate.

(iii) Creating and maintaining a regular nonadversarial forum for ongoing dialogue between labor, management, and community representatives to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern outside the realm of the traditional collective bargaining process.

(iv) Acting as an intermediary for initiating local programs between unions and employers that would generally improve economic conditions in a region.

(v) Encouraging, assisting, and facilitating the development of work-site and industry labor-management-community committees in the region.

Any local labor-management-community committee meeting these criteria may apply to the Department for annual matching grants, provided that the local committee contributes at least 25% in matching funds, of which no more than 50% shall be "in-kind" services. Funds received by a local committee pursuant to this subsection shall be used for the ordinary operating expenses of the local committee.

(c) Matching grants to local labor-management-community committees that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (b). However, to be eligible to apply for a grant under this subsection (c), the local labor-management-community committee, at a minimum, shall meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Be composed of labor, management, and community representatives.

(2) Service a distinct and identifiable geographic region.

(3) Operate in compliance with the rules set forth by the Department with the advice of the Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee.

(4) Ensure that its efforts and activities are directed toward enhancing the labor-management-community relationship within the State, region, community, and/or work place.

Any local labor-management-community committee meeting these criteria may apply to the Department for an annual matching grant, provided that the local committee contributes at least 25% in matching funds of which no more than 50% shall be "in-kind" services. Funds received by a local committee pursuant to this subsection (c) shall be used for the ordinary and operating expenses of the local committee. Eligible committees shall be limited to 3 years of funding under this subsection. With respect to those committees participating in this program prior to enactment of this amendatory Act of 1988 that fail to qualify under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c), previous years' funding shall be counted in determining whether those committees have reached their funding limit under this subsection (c).

(d) Grants to develop and conduct specialized education and training programs of direct benefit to representatives of labor, management, labor-management-community committees and/or their staff. The type of education and training programs to be developed and offered will be determined and prioritized annually by the Department, with the advice of the Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee. The Department will develop and issue an annual request for proposals detailing the program specifications.

(e) Grants for research and development projects related to labor-management-community or employment-related family issues. The Department, with the advice of the Labor-Management-Community Cooperation Committee, will develop and prioritize annually the type and scope of the research and development projects deemed necessary.

(f) Grants of up to a maximum of $5,000 to support the planning of regional work, family, and community planning conferences that will be based on specific community concerns.

(g) Grants to initiate or support recently created employer-led coalitions to establish pilot projects that promote the understanding of the work and family issues and support local workforce dependent care services.

(h) The Department is authorized to establish applications and application procedures and promulgate any rules deemed necessary in the administration of the grants.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-860)

Sec. 605-860. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01. Repealed by P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-865)

Sec. 605-865. Family-friendly workplace initiative. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, with the advice of members of the business community, may establish a family-friendly workplace initiative. The Department may develop a program to annually collect information regarding the State's private eligible employers with 50 or fewer employees and private eligible employers with 51 or more employees in the State providing the most family-friendly benefits to their employees. The same program may be established for public employers. The criteria for determining eligible employers includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) consideration of the dependent care scholarship or discounts given by the employer;

(2) flexible work hours and schedules;

(3) time off for caring for sick or injured dependents;

(4) the provision of onsite or nearby dependent care;

(5) dependent care referral services; and

(6) in-kind contributions to community dependent care programs.

Those employers chosen by the Department may be recognized with annual "family-friendly workplace" awards and a Statewide information and advertising campaign publicizing the employers' awards, their contributions to family-friendly child care, and the methods they used to improve the dependent care experiences of their employees' families.

(Source: P.A. 93-478, eff. 8-8-03; 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-870)

Sec. 605-870. Low-income water assistance policy and program.

(a) The Department shall by rule establish a comprehensive low-income water assistance policy and program that incorporates financial assistance and includes, but is not limited to, water efficiency or water quality projects, such as lead service line replacement, or other measures to ensure that residents have access to affordable and clean water. The policy and program shall not jeopardize the ability of public utilities, community water supplies, or other entities to receive just compensation for providing services. The resources applied in achieving the policy and program shall be coordinated and efficiently used through the integration of public programs and through the targeting of assistance. The rule or rules shall be adopted within 180 days after receiving an appropriation for the program.

(b) Any person who is a resident of the State and whose household income is not greater than an amount determined annually by the Department may apply for assistance under this Section in accordance with rules adopted by the Department. In setting the annual eligibility level, the Department shall consider the amount of available funding and may not set a limit higher than 150% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

(c) Applicants who qualify for assistance under subsection (b) shall, subject to appropriation from the General Assembly and availability of funds by the Department, receive assistance as provided under this Section. The Department, upon receipt of moneys authorized under this Section for assistance, shall commit funds for each qualified applicant in an amount determined by the Department. In determining the amounts of assistance to be provided to or on behalf of a qualified applicant the Department shall ensure that the highest amounts of assistance go to households with the greatest water costs in relation to household income. The Department may consider factors such as water costs, household size, household income, and region of the State when determining individual household benefits. In adopting rules for the administration of this Section, the Department shall ensure that a minimum of one-third of the funds for the program are available for benefits to eligible households with the lowest incomes and that elderly households, households with persons with disabilities, and households with children under 6 years of age are offered a priority application period.

(d) Application materials for the program shall be made available in multiple languages.

(Source: P.A. 102-613, eff. 1-1-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-875)

Sec. 605-875. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 97-787, eff. 7-13-12. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-900) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.6b)

Sec. 605-900. Construction loans to local governments for revenue producing capital facilities. To make loans to units of local government for construction of revenue producing capital facilities, subject to the terms and conditions it deems necessary to ensure repayment.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-905) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.41b)

Sec. 605-905. Grants to local governments in connection with federal prisons. To make grants to units of local government for (i) land acquisition and all necessary improvements upon or related thereto for the purpose of facilitating the location of federal prisons in Illinois and (ii) for the development of industrial or commercial parks, or both, that are adjacent to or abut any federal prison constructed in Illinois after January 9, 1990 (the effective date of Public Act 86-1017).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-907)

Sec. 605-907. River Edge Redevelopment Zone assistance program. The Department may establish and maintain a program to provide, subject to appropriation, grants and assistance in connection River Edge Redevelopment Zones that are established under the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. The Department may adopt any rules necessary for the administration of the program under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-1021, eff. 7-12-06.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-910) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.56)

Sec. 605-910. Grants to municipalities for site development along waterways. In cooperation with the Department of Transportation, to make grants and provide financial assistance to municipalities for site development along waterways in order to promote commercial and industrial development.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-913)

Sec. 605-913. Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program.

(a) The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) The fresh surface water and groundwater supply in Illinois and Lake Michigan constitute vital natural resources that require careful stewardship and protection for future generations. Access to safe and clean drinking water is the right of all Illinois residents.

(2) To adequately protect these resources and provide safe and clean drinking water, substantial investment is needed to replace lead components in drinking water infrastructure, improve wastewater treatment, flood control, and stormwater management, control aquatic invasive species, implement green infrastructure solutions, and implement other infrastructure solutions to protect water quality.

(3) Implementing these clean water solutions will require a skilled and trained workforce, and new investments will demand additional workers with specialized skills.

(4) Water infrastructure jobs have been shown to provide living wages and contribute to Illinois' economy.

(5) Significant populations of Illinois residents, including, but not limited to, residents of environmental justice communities, economically and socially disadvantaged communities, those returning from the criminal justice system, foster care alumni, and in particular women and transgender persons, are in need of access to skilled living wage jobs like those in the water infrastructure sector.

(6) Many of these residents are more likely to live in communities with aging and inadequate clean water infrastructure and suffer from threats to surface and drinking water quality.

(7) The State can provide significant economic opportunities to these residents and achieve greater environmental and public health by investing in clean water infrastructure.

(8) New training, recruitment, support, and placement efforts are needed to connect these residents with career opportunities in water infrastructure.

(9) The State must invest in both clean water infrastructure and workforce development efforts in order to achieve these goals.

(b) From appropriations made from the Build Illinois Bond Fund, Capital Development Fund, or General Revenue Fund or other funds as identified by the Department, the Department shall create a Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program to provide grants and other financial assistance to prepare and support individuals for careers in water infrastructure. All funding provided by the Program under this Section shall be designed to encourage and facilitate employment in projects funded through State capital investment and provide participants a skill set to allow them to work professionally in fields related to water infrastructure.

Grants and other financial assistance may be made available on a competitive annual basis to organizations that demonstrate a capacity to recruit, support, train, and place individuals in water infrastructure careers, including, but not limited to, community organizations, educational institutions, workforce investment boards, community action agencies, and multi-craft labor organizations for new efforts specifically focused on engaging residents of environmental justice communities, economically and socially disadvantaged communities, those returning from the criminal justice system, foster care alumni, and in particular women and transgender persons in these populations.

Grants and other financial assistance shall be awarded on a competitive and annual basis for the following activities:

(1) identification of individuals for job training in the water sector;

(2) counseling, preparation, skills training, and other support to increase a candidate's likelihood of success in a job training program and career;

(3) financial support for individuals in a water sector job skills training program, support services, and transportation assistance tied to training under this Section;

(4) job placement services for individuals during and after completion of water sector job skills training programs; and

(5) financial, administrative, and management assistance for organizations engaged in these activities.

(c) It shall be an annual goal of the Program to train and place at least 300, or 25% of the number of annual jobs created by State financed water infrastructure projects, whichever is greater, of the following persons in water sector-related apprenticeships annually: residents of environmental justice communities; residents of economically and socially disadvantaged communities; those returning from the criminal justice system; foster care alumni; and, in particular, women and transgender persons. In awarding and administering grants under this Program, the Department shall strive to provide assistance equitably throughout the State.

In order to encourage the employment of individuals trained through the Program onto projects receiving State financial assistance, the Department shall coordinate with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Finance Authority, and other State agencies that provide financial support for water infrastructure projects. These agencies shall take steps to support attaining the training and placement goals set forth in this subsection, using a list of projects that receive State financial support. These agencies may propose and adopt rules to facilitate the attainment of this goal.

Using funds appropriated for the purposes of this Section, the Department may select through a competitive bidding process a Program Administrator to oversee the allocation of funds and select organizations that receive funding.

Recipients of grants under the Program shall report annually to the Department on the success of their efforts and their contribution to reaching the goals of the Program provided in this subsection. The Department shall compile this information and annually report to the General Assembly on the Program, including, but not limited to, the following information:

(1) progress toward the goals stated in this subsection;

(2) any increase in the percentage of water industry jobs in targeted populations;

(3) any increase in the rate of acceptance, completion, or retention of water training programs among targeted populations;

(4) any increase in the rate of employment, including hours and annual income, measured against pre-Program participant income; and

(5) any recommendations for future changes to optimize the success of the Program.

(d) Within 90 days after January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-576), the Department shall propose a draft plan to implement this Section for public comment. The Department shall allow a minimum of 60 days for public comment on the plan, including one or more public hearings, if requested. The Department shall finalize the plan within 180 days of January 1, 2020 (the effective date of Public Act 101-576).

The Department may propose and adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of the Program and to ensure compliance with this Section.

(e) The Water Workforce Development Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall receive moneys appropriated for the purpose of this Section from the Build Illinois Bond Fund, the Capital Development Fund, the General Revenue Fund and any other funds. Moneys in the Fund shall only be used to fund the Program and to assist and enable implementation of clean water infrastructure capital investments. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Water Workforce Development Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would in any way transfer any amounts from the Water Workforce Development Fund into any other fund of the State.

(f) For purpose of this Section:

"Environmental justice community" has the meaning provided in subsection (b) of Section 1-50 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.

"Multi-craft labor organization" means a joint labor-management apprenticeship program registered with and approved by the United States Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship or a labor organization that has an accredited training program through the Higher Learning Commission or the Illinois Community College Board.

"Organization" means a corporation, company, partnership, association, society, order, labor organization, or individual or aggregation of individuals.

(Source: P.A. 101-576, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/913)

Sec. 913. (Renumbered).

(Source: P.A. 101-576, eff. 1-1-20. Renumbered by P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-915) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.45)

Sec. 605-915. Assisting local governments to achieve lower borrowing costs. To cooperate with the Illinois Finance Authority in assisting local governments to achieve overall lower borrowing costs and more favorable terms under the Illinois Finance Authority Act, including using the Department's federally funded Community Development Assistance Program for those purposes.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-920) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.47)

Sec. 605-920. Assisting local governments; debt management, capital facility planning, infrastructure. To provide, in cooperation with the Illinois Finance Authority, technical assistance to local governments with respect to debt management and bond issuance, capital facility planning, infrastructure financing, infrastructure maintenance, fiscal management, and other infrastructure areas.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-925) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.48)

Sec. 605-925. Helping local governments reduce infrastructure costs. To develop and recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly, in cooperation with the Illinois Finance Authority and local governments, methods and techniques that can be used to help local governments reduce their public infrastructure costs, including strengthened local financial management, user fees, and other appropriate options.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-930) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.27)

Sec. 605-930. Assisting home rule units; composite bond issues for mortgages. At the request of any home rule unit, to assist the home rule unit in providing composite bond issues for mortgages in order to enable the home rule unit to benefit from the federal allocation of tax exempt mortgage revenue bonds authorized under the federal Mortgage Subsidy Bond Tax Act of 1981 (Title XI of Public Law 96-499).

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-935) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.32)

Sec. 605-935. Referrals to State universities for special economic problems. To encourage the establishment, with the assistance of the Board of Higher Education, of a system for referring representatives of communities in which there exist special economic problems and opportunities to the most appropriate State university for assistance. The Department may also cooperate with the universities in providing advice and assistance to communities or groups of citizens seeking to offset the economic impact of the removal or termination of substantial industrial or commercial operations.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-940) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.37)

Sec. 605-940. Clearing house for local government problems; aid with financial and administrative matters. The Department shall provide for a central clearing house for information concerning local government problems and various solutions to those problems and shall assist and aid local governments of the State in matters relating to budgets, fiscal procedures, and administration. In performing this responsibility the Department shall have the power and duty to do the following:

(1) Maintain communication with all local governments and assist them, at their request, to improve their administrative procedures and to facilitate improved local government and development.

(2) Assemble and disseminate information concerning State and federal programs, grants, gifts, and subsidies available to local governments and to provide counsel and technical services and other assistance in applying for those programs, grants, gifts, and subsidies.

(3) Assist in coordinating activities by obtaining information, on forms provided by the Department or by receipt of proposals and applications, concerning State and federal assisted programs, grants, gifts, and subsidies applied for and received by all local governments.

(4) Provide direct consultative services to local governments upon request and provide staff services to special commissions, the Governor, or the General Assembly or its committees.

(5) Render advice and assistance with respect to the establishment and maintenance of programs for the training of local government officials and other personnel.

(6) Act as the official State agency for the receipt and distribution of federal funds that are or may be provided to the State on a flat grant basis for distribution to local governments or in the event federal law requires a State agency to implement programs affecting local governments and for State funds that are or may be provided for the use of local governments unless otherwise provided by law.

(7) Administer laws relating to local government affairs as the General Assembly may direct.

(8) Provide all advice and assistance to improve local government administration, ensure the economical and efficient provision of local government services, and make the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois effective.

(9) Give advice and counsel on fiscal problems of local governments of the State to those local governments.

(10) Prepare uniform budgetary forms for use by the local governments of the State.

(11) Assist and advise the local governments of the State in matters pertaining to budgets, appropriation requests and ordinances, the determination of property tax levies and rates, and other matters of a financial nature.

(12) Be a repository for financial reports and statements required by law of local governments of the State, and publish financial summaries of those reports and statements.

(13) (Blank).

(14) Prepare proposals and advise on the investment of idle local government funds.

(15) Administer the program of grants, loans, and loan guarantees under the federal Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. 3121 and following, and receive and disburse State and federal funds provided for that program and moneys received as repayments of loans made under the program.

(16) After January 1, 1985, upon the request of local governments, prepare and provide model financial statement forms designed to communicate to taxpayers, service consumers, voters, government employees, and news media, in a non-technical manner, all significant financial information regarding a particular local government, and to prepare and provide to local governments a summary of local governments' obligations concerning the adoption of an annual operating budget. The summary shall be set forth in a non-technical manner and shall be designed principally for distribution to, and the use of, taxpayers, service consumers, voters, government employees, and news media.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 91-583, eff. 1-1-00; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-945) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.38)

Sec. 605-945. Development of safe and decent housing. The Department shall foster the development of safe and decent housing for Illinois citizens and shall perform all duties provided by law. In performing this responsibility the Department shall have the power and duty to do the following:

(1) Coordinate and, wherever provided by law, supervise or administer the several programs of State and federal assistance and grants related to housing and urban renewal, including but not limited to housing, redevelopment, urban renewal, urban planning assistance, building codes, building code enforcement, housing codes, housing code enforcement, area development, revitalization of central city cores, mass transportation, public works, and community facilities, and furnish technical assistance on any program of housing and urban renewal.

(2) Exercise the rights, powers, and duties provided in sub-paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), and (12) of Section 605-115.

(3) Perform other duties that may be necessary to implement applicable law and to ensure orderly administration of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-950) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.38a)

Sec. 605-950. Federal funds for housing. The Department is authorized to receive and distribute federal funds to foster safe and decent housing and for reimbursement of social service expenses in connection with emergency shelter for the homeless.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-970)

Sec. 605-970. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-995, eff. 1-1-11. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-980)

Sec. 605-980. Smart cities grant program. Subject to appropriation, the Department may establish and administer a program to make grants to municipalities for urban preservation and redevelopment as well as green technology. The Department shall work in cooperation with local municipalities in order to provide funds to meet the municipalities' identified public infrastructure and urban improvement needs. The grant program shall be permissive and subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.

"Identified public infrastructure and urban improvement needs" include plans adopted by the municipality that have the following elements: an assessment of all public facilities and services, including, but not limited to, roads and other transportation facilities, sewers, schools, parks and open space, and fire and police services. Any municipality that is approved for grant moneys under this Section must develop a 5-year plan for the replacement and expansion of existing public facilities or the construction of any new facilities that are required to meet expected growth and economic development. The plan shall be reviewed by the Department. The plan must include a projection of when and where those facilities will be required and an assessment of the anticipated costs for replacement, expansion, or construction of public facilities.

Municipalities receiving grant moneys under this Section are encouraged to use local small businesses within the municipality whenever possible.

(Source: P.A. 95-170, eff. 1-1-08.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-981)

Sec. 605-981. Green cities grant program. Subject to appropriation, the Department may establish and administer a program to make grants to municipalities whose buildings conform with nationally recognized and accepted green building guidelines, standards, or systems. Grants may be used for new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell development, homes, schools, or neighborhood development. The grant program shall be permissive and subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.

Municipalities receiving grant moneys under this Section are encouraged to use local small businesses within the municipality whenever possible.

(Source: P.A. 95-170, eff. 1-1-08.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-990) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.37a)

Sec. 605-990. Notice of legislation affecting local governments. Beginning on March 1, 1984 and annually thereafter, the Department shall notify each county, municipality, and township of all State legislation that has taken effect during the preceding 12 months that in the Department's view directly affects or has significant impact upon the functioning of local governments. Notice shall be provided by delivering, by mail or otherwise, to each such unit of local government a listing of the legislation.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-995) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.40)

Sec. 605-995. Contracts to perform functions at request of local governments. The Director may contract on behalf of the Department, at the request of the corporate authorities of any municipality if the proposed function takes place within the municipality or at the request of the corporate authorities of the county if the proposed function takes place in an unincorporated area, with any person, firm, or corporation to perform any of the functions provided herein within the corporate limits as provided in this Section. The Department shall not expend State funds on a contractual basis for those functions unless those functions and expenditures are expressly authorized by the General Assembly.

All contracts entered into by the Director shall provide for annual audits and reports of activities conducted under terms of the contract, unless more frequently requested by the Director. The Director shall take other steps as necessary to ensure the proper discharge of contract responsibilities.

The Department shall promulgate rules and regulations concerning the Department's operations or programs established to meet these purposes.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1000)

Sec. 605-1000. Illinois Science and Technology Commission. The Illinois Science and Technology Commission is created, subject to appropriation, to coordinate efforts on behalf of the State, units of local government, and institutions of higher education in order to attract, retain, and promote scientific endeavors and research facilities within the State. The Commission may coordinate with other states, the federal government, and scientific research facilities to achieve its objectives under this Section. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, subject to appropriation for this purpose, provide staff support for the Commission. The Commission shall consist of the following 10 members, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate unless otherwise provided in this Section:

(1) Two members with a background in physical sciences.

(2) One member with a background in civil engineering.

(3) One member with a background in land use.

(4) One member with a background in environmental issues.

(5) One member representing institutions of higher education.

(6) One member appointed by a statewide association that advocates for business.

(7) One member appointed by a statewide association that advocates for labor.

(8) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, ex officio, or his or her designee.

(9) The Governor, ex officio, or his or her designee.

The members shall elect a member to serve as chairperson. Of the initial members appointed under items (1) through (7) of this Section, 2 shall serve for 3-year terms, 2 shall serve for 4-year terms, and 4 shall serve for 5-year terms, as determined by lot. Successor members shall be appointed by the original appointing authority and shall serve for 5-year terms. Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.

(Source: P.A. 95-943, eff. 1-1-09.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1005)

Sec. 605-1005. Technology transfer incentives. The Department may, subject to appropriation, create financial incentive and grant programs to encourage private companies to share their new energy technologies with public institutions of higher education, public utilities, electric cooperatives, State agencies, and federal agencies. For the purposes of this Section, "public institutions of higher education" has the same meaning as under Section 1 of the Board of Higher Education Act; "public utility" has the same meaning as under Section 3-105 of the Public Utilities Act; "electric cooperative" has the same meaning as under Section 3-119 of the Public Utilities Act; "State agency" has the same meaning as under Section 1-10 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act; and "federal agency" has the same meaning ascribed to the term "agency" under Section 551 of the federal Administrative Procedure Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-1279, eff. 1-1-11.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1007)

Sec. 605-1007. New business permitting portal.

(a) By July 1, 2017, the Department shall, subject to appropriation, create and maintain, in consultation with the Department of Innovation and Technology, a website to help persons wishing to create new businesses or relocate businesses to Illinois. The Department shall consult with at least one organization representing small businesses in this State while creating the website.

(b) The website shall include:

(1) an estimate of license and permitting fees for different businesses;

(2) State government application forms for business licensing or registration;

(3) hyperlinks to websites of the responsible agency or organization responsible for accepting the application; and

(4) contact information for any local government permitting agencies that may be relevant.

(c) The Department shall contact all agencies to obtain business forms and other information for this website. Those agencies shall respond to the Department before July 1, 2016.

(d) The website shall also include some mechanism for the potential business owner to request more information from the Department that may be helpful in starting the business, including, but not limited to, State-based incentives that the business owner may qualify for when starting or relocating a business.

(e) The Department shall update the website at least once a year before July 1. The Department shall request that other State agencies report any changes in applicable application forms to the Department by June 1 of every year after 2016.

(Source: P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1010)

Sec. 605-1010. Agricultural Tourism. To bolster rural economies in Illinois, subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop and implement a statewide strategic plan to increase agricultural tourism. The strategic plan shall explore the promotion of agricultural tourism through access to hotel and motel taxes and the use of websites, brochures, and broadcast advertising.

(Source: P.A. 97-392, eff. 8-16-11.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1015)

Sec. 605-1015. Farmers' markets held in convention centers. To encourage convention center boards and other public or private entities that operate convention centers throughout the State to provide convention center space at a reduced rate or without charge to local farmers' markets to use the space to hold the market when inclement weather prevents holding the market at its regular outdoor location. For purposes of this Section, "farmers' market" has the meaning set forth in the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1015, eff. 1-1-13; 98-463, eff. 8-16-13.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1020)

Sec. 605-1020. Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, there is hereby established an Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program that shall be administered by the Department beginning on July 1 of the first fiscal year for which an appropriation of State moneys is made for that purpose and continuing for the next 2 immediately succeeding fiscal years; however, the Department is not required to administer the program in any fiscal year for which such an appropriation has not been made. The purpose of the program shall be to encourage and assist beginning entrepreneurs in starting new businesses by providing reimbursements to those entrepreneurs for any State filing, permitting, or licensing fees associated with the formation of such a business in the State.

(b) Applicants for participation in the Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program shall apply to the Department, in a form and manner prescribed by the Department, within one year after the formation of the business for which the entrepreneur seeks reimbursement of those fees. The Department shall adopt rules for the review and approval of applications, provided that it (1) shall give priority to applicants who are women or minority persons, or both, and (2) shall not approve any application by a person who will not be a beginning entrepreneur. Reimbursements under this Section shall be provided in the manner determined by the Department. In no event shall an applicant apply for participation in the program more than 3 times.

(c) The aggregate amount of all reimbursements provided by the Department pursuant to this Section shall not exceed $500,000 in any State fiscal year.

(d) On or before February 1 of the last calendar year during which the pilot program is in effect, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the cumulative effectiveness of the Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program. The review shall include, but not be limited to, the number and type of businesses that were formed in connection with the pilot program, the current status of each business formed in connection with the pilot program, the number of employees employed by each such business, the economic impact to the State from the pilot program, the satisfaction of participants in the pilot program, and a recommendation as to whether the program should be continued. The report to the General Assembly shall be filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate in electronic form only, in the manner that the Clerk and the Secretary shall direct.

(e) As used in this Section:

"Beginning entrepreneur" means an individual who, at the time he or she applies for participation in the program, has less than 5 years of experience as a business owner and is not a current business owner.

"Woman" and "minority person" have the meanings given to those terms in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-541, eff. 11-7-17; 100-785, eff. 8-10-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1025)

Sec. 605-1025. Data center investment.

(a) The Department shall issue certificates of exemption from the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act, all locally-imposed retailers' occupation taxes administered and collected by the Department, the Chicago non-titled Use Tax, and a credit certification against the taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act to qualifying Illinois data centers.

(b) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, the Department shall award credits against the taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act as provided in Section 229 of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

(c) For purposes of this Section:

"Data center" means a facility: (1) whose primary services are the storage, management, and processing of digital data; and (2) that is used to house (i) computer and network systems, including associated components such as servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, and data storage systems, (ii) systems for monitoring and managing infrastructure performance, (iii) Internet-related equipment and services, (iv) data communications connections, (v) environmental controls, (vi) fire protection systems, and (vii) security systems and services.

"Qualifying Illinois data center" means a new or existing data center that:

(1) is located in the State of Illinois;

(2) in the case of an existing data center, made a capital investment of at least $250,000,000 collectively by the data center operator and the tenants of the data center over the 60-month period immediately prior to January 1, 2020 or committed to make a capital investment of at least $250,000,000 over a 60-month period commencing before January 1, 2020 and ending after January 1, 2020; or

(3) in the case of a new data center, or an existing data center making an upgrade, makes a capital investment of at least $250,000,000 over a 60-month period beginning on or after January 1, 2020; and

(4) in the case of both existing and new data centers, results in the creation of at least 20 full-time or full-time equivalent new jobs over a period of 60 months by the data center operator and the tenants of the data center, collectively, associated with the operation or maintenance of the data center; 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 data center is located, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; and

(5) within 2 years after being placed in service, certifies to the Department that it is carbon neutral or has attained certification under one or more of the following green building standards:

(A) BREEAM for New Construction or BREEAM In-Use;

(B) ENERGY STAR;

(C) Envision;

(D) ISO 50001-energy management;

(E) LEED for Building Design and Construction or LEED for Operations and Maintenance;

(F) Green Globes for New Construction or Green Globes for Existing Buildings;

(G) UL 3223; or

(H) an equivalent program approved by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Full-time equivalent job" means a job in which the new employee works for the owner, operator, contractor, or tenant of a data center or for a corporation under contract with the owner, operator or tenant of a data center at a rate of at least 35 hours per week. An owner, operator or tenant who employs labor or services at a specific site or facility under contract with another may declare one full-time, permanent job for every 1,820 man hours worked per year under that contract. Vacations, paid holidays, and sick time are included in this computation. Overtime is not considered a part of regular hours.

"Qualified tangible personal property" means: electrical systems and equipment; climate control and chilling equipment and systems; mechanical systems and equipment; monitoring and secure systems; emergency generators; hardware; computers; servers; data storage devices; network connectivity equipment; racks; cabinets; telecommunications cabling infrastructure; raised floor systems; peripheral components or systems; software; mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems; battery systems; cooling systems and towers; temperature control systems; other cabling; and other data center infrastructure equipment and systems necessary to operate qualified tangible personal property, including fixtures; and component parts of any of the foregoing, including installation, maintenance, repair, refurbishment, and replacement of qualified tangible personal property to generate, transform, transmit, distribute, or manage electricity necessary to operate qualified tangible personal property; and all other tangible personal property that is essential to the operations of a computer data center. "Qualified tangible personal property" also includes building materials physically incorporated in to the qualifying data center.

To document the exemption allowed under this Section, the retailer must obtain from the purchaser a copy of the certificate of eligibility issued by the Department.

(d) New and existing data centers seeking a certificate of exemption for new or existing facilities shall apply to the Department in the manner specified by the Department. The Department shall determine the duration of the certificate of exemption awarded under this Act. The duration of the certificate of exemption may not exceed 20 calendar years. The Department and any data center seeking the exemption, including a data center operator on behalf of itself and its tenants, must enter into a memorandum of understanding that at a minimum provides:

(1) the details for determining the amount of capital investment to be made;

(2) the number of new jobs created;

(3) the timeline for achieving the capital investment and new job goals;

(4) the repayment obligation should those goals not be achieved and any conditions under which repayment by the qualifying data center or data center tenant claiming the exemption will be required;

(5) the duration of the exemption; and

(6) other provisions as deemed necessary by the Department.

(e) Beginning July 1, 2021, and each year thereafter, the Department shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the outcomes and effectiveness of Public Act 101-31 that shall include the following:

(1) the name of each recipient business;

(2) the location of the project;

(3) the estimated value of the credit;

(4) the number of new jobs and, if applicable, retained jobs pledged as a result of the project; and

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

(f) New and existing data centers seeking a certificate of exemption related to the rehabilitation or construction of data centers in the State shall require the contractor and all subcontractors to comply with the requirements of Section 30-22 of the Illinois Procurement Code as they apply to responsible bidders and to present satisfactory evidence of that compliance to the Department.

(g) New and existing data centers seeking a certificate of exemption for the rehabilitation or construction of data centers in the State shall require the contractor to enter into a project labor agreement approved by the Department.

(h) Any qualifying data center issued a certificate of exemption under this Section must annually report to the Department the total data center tax benefits that are received by the business. Reports are due no later than May 31 of each year and shall cover the previous calendar year. The first report is for the 2019 calendar year and is due no later than May 31, 2020.

To the extent that a business issued a certificate of exemption under this Section has obtained an Enterprise Zone Building Materials Exemption Certificate or a High Impact Business Building Materials Exemption Certificate, no additional reporting for those building materials exemption benefits is required under this Section.

Failure to file a report under this subsection (h) may result in suspension or revocation of the certificate of exemption. Factors to be considered in determining whether a data center certificate of exemption shall be suspended or revoked include, but are not limited to, prior compliance with the reporting requirements, cooperation in discontinuing and correcting violations, the extent of the violation, and whether the violation was willful or inadvertent.

(i) The Department shall not issue any new certificates of exemption under the provisions of this Section after July 1, 2029. This sunset shall not affect any existing certificates of exemption in effect on July 1, 2029.

(j) The Department shall adopt rules to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 101-31, eff. 6-28-19; 101-604, eff. 12-13-19; 102-427, eff. 8-20-21; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1030)

Sec. 605-1030. Human Services Capital Investment Grant Program.

(a) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, shall establish a Human Services Capital Investment Grant Program. The Department shall, subject to appropriation, make capital improvement grants to human services providers serving low-income or marginalized populations. The Build Illinois Bond Fund and the Rebuild Illinois Projects Fund shall be the sources of funding for the program. Eligible grant recipients shall be human services providers that offer facilities and services in a manner that supports and fulfills the mission of the Department of Human Services. Eligible grant recipients include, but are not limited to, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, comprehensive youth services, teen REACH providers, supportive housing providers, developmental disability community providers, behavioral health providers, and other community-based providers. Eligible grant recipients have no entitlement to a grant under this Section.

(b) The Department, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, shall adopt rules to implement this Section and shall create a competitive application procedure for grants to be awarded. The rules shall specify the manner of applying for grants; grantee eligibility requirements; project eligibility requirements; restrictions on the use of grant moneys; the manner in which grantees must account for the use of grant moneys; and any other provision that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or Department of Human Services determine to be necessary or useful for the administration of this Section. Rules may include a requirement for grantees to provide local matching funds in an amount equal to a specific percentage of the grant.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall establish standards for determining the priorities concerning the necessity for capital facilities for the provision of human services based on data available to the Department.

(d) No portion of a human services capital investment grant awarded under this Section may be used by a grantee to pay for any on-going operational costs or outstanding debt.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19; 101-604, eff. 12-13-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1032)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 605-1032. Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Eligible not-for-profit corporation" means a not-for-profit corporation, as defined in Section 101.80 of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, that primarily serves minorities, women, veterans, or persons with a disability.

"Office" means the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.

(b) The Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment is hereby created within the Department. The Office shall assist minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies through targeted programs, resources, and outreach and promotional activities. The Office may engage in or conduct the following activities:

(1) promoting and conducting outreach efforts to ensure access to State and federal funding opportunities, and assisting minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies in applying for and receiving loan funds in the State;

(2) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts for minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies to encourage participation in programs under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and assisting those businesses in becoming designated under that Act and under similar certification programs;

(3) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts that assist and educate minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies on the process of applying for and becoming certified to apply for State grant funds under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act;

(4) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts that assist and educate aspiring and existing minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies with understanding concepts including, but not limited to, business formation and not-for-profit incorporation, business planning, capital access, and marketing a business or not-for-profit corporation;

(5) administering programs established by the Department or the General Assembly to provide grants to minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies;

(6) coordinating assistance for minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies with other State agencies;

(7) providing staff, administration, and related support required to administer this Section; and

(8) establishing applications, notifications, contracts, and other forms and procedures, and adopting rules deemed necessary and appropriate.

(c) The Office may use vendors or enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-889, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1035)

Sec. 605-1035. Training in the Building Trades Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may establish a Training in the Building Trades Program to award grants to community-based organizations for the purpose of establishing training programs for persons who are 18 through 35 years of age and have an interest in the building trades. Persons eligible to participate in the Program shall include youth who have aged out of foster care and have an interest in the building trades. The Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall identify and refer eligible youth to those community-based organizations that receive grants under this Section. Under the training programs, each participating person shall receive the following:

(1) Formal training and education in the fundamentals and core competencies in the person's chosen trade. Such training and education shall be provided by a trained and skilled tradesman or journeyman who is a member of a trade union and who is paid the general prevailing rate of hourly wages in the locality in which the work is to be performed.

(2) Hands-on experience to further develop the person's building trade skills by participating in community improvement projects involving the rehabilitation of vacant and abandoned residential property in economically depressed areas of the State.

Selected organizations shall also use the grant money to establish an entrepreneurship program to provide eligible persons with the capital and business management skills necessary to successfully launch their own businesses as contractors, subcontractors, real estate agents, or property managers or as any other entrepreneurs in the building trades. Eligibility under the entrepreneurship program shall be restricted to persons who reside in one of the economically depressed areas selected to receive community improvement projects in accordance with this subsection and who have obtained the requisite skill set for a particular building trade after successfully completing a training program established in accordance with this subsection. Grants provided under this Section may also be used to purchase the equipment and materials needed to rehabilitate any vacant and abandoned residential property that is eligible for acquisition as described in subsection (b).

(b) Property eligible for acquisition and rehabilitation under the Training in the Building Trades Program.

(1) A community-based organization that is selected to participate in the Training in the Building Trades Program may enter into an agreement with a financial institution to rehabilitate abandoned residential property in foreclosure with the express condition that, after the rehabilitation project is complete, the financial institution shall:

(A) sell the residential property for no less than its fair market value; and

(B) use any proceeds from the sale to (i) reimburse the community-based organization for all costs associated with rehabilitating the property and (ii) make satisfactory payment for any other claims against the property. Any remaining sale proceeds of the residential property shall be retained by the financial institution.

(2)(A) A unit of local government may enact an ordinance that permits the acquisition and rehabilitation of abandoned residential property under the Training in the Building Trades Program. Under the ordinance, any owner of residential property that has been abandoned for at least 3 years shall be notified that the abandoned property is subject to acquisition and rehabilitation under the Program and that if the owner does not respond to the notice within the time period prescribed by the unit of local government, the owner shall lose all right, title, and interest in the property. Such notice shall be given as follows:

(i) by mailing a copy of the notice by certified mail to the owner's last known mailing address;

(ii) by publication in a newspaper published in the municipality or county where the property is located; and

(iii) by recording the notice with the office of the recorder of the county in which the property is located.

(B) If the owner responds to the notice within the time period prescribed by the unit of local government, the owner shall be given the option to either bring the property into compliance with all applicable fire, housing, and building codes within 6 months or enter into an agreement with a community-based organization under the Program to rehabilitate the residential property. If the owner chooses to enter into an agreement with a community-based organization to rehabilitate the residential property, such agreement shall be made with the express condition that, after the rehabilitation project is complete, the owner shall:

(i) sell the residential property for no less than its fair market value; and

(ii) use any proceeds from the sale to (a) reimburse the community-based organization for all costs associated with rehabilitating the property and (b) make satisfactory payment for any other claims against the property. Any remaining sale proceeds of the residential property shall be distributed as follows:

(I) 20% shall be distributed to the owner.

(II) 80% shall be deposited into the Training in the Building Trades Fund created under subsection (e).

(c) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall select from each of the following geographical regions of the State a community-based organization with experience working with the building trades:

(1) Central Illinois.

(2) Northeastern Illinois.

(3) Southern (Metro-East) Illinois.

(4) Southern Illinois.

(5) Western Illinois.

(d) Grants awarded under this Section shall be funded through appropriations from the Training in the Building Trades Fund created under subsection (e). The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

(e) The Training in the Building Trades Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of any moneys deposited into the Fund as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b) and any moneys appropriated to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the Training in the Building Trades Program. Moneys in the Fund shall be expended for the Training in the Building Trades Program under subsection (a) and for no other purpose. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.

(Source: P.A. 101-469, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1040)

Sec. 605-1040. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21. Repealed by P.A. 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1045)

Sec. 605-1045. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21. Repealed internally, eff. 12-31-20.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1045.1)

Sec. 605-1045.1. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 102-1109, eff. 12-21-22. Repealed internally, eff. 1-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1047)

Sec. 605-1047. Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (or Local CURE) Support Program.

(a) Purpose. The Department may receive, directly or indirectly, federal funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund provided to the State pursuant to Section 5001 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide financial support to units of local government for purposes authorized by Section 5001 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and related federal guidance. Upon receipt of such funds, and appropriations for their use, the Department shall administer a Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (or Local CURE) Support Program to provide financial support to units of local government that have incurred necessary expenditures due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Department shall provide by rule the administrative framework for the Local CURE Support Program.

(b) Allocations. A portion of the funds appropriated for the Local CURE Support Program may be allotted to municipalities and counties based on proportionate population. Units of local government, or portions thereof, located within the five Illinois counties that received direct allotments from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund will not be included in the support program allotments. The Department may establish other administrative procedures for providing financial support to units of local government. Appropriated funds may be used for administration of the support program, including the hiring of a service provider to assist with coordination and administration.

(c) Administrative procedures. The Department may establish administrative procedures for the support program, including any application procedures, grant agreements, certifications, payment methodologies, and other accountability measures that may be imposed upon recipients of funds under the grant program. Financial support may be provided in the form of grants or in the form of expense reimbursements for disaster-related expenditures. The emergency rulemaking process may be used to promulgate the initial rules of the grant program.

(d) Definitions. As used in this Section:

(1) "COVID-19" means the novel coronavirus virus disease deemed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020.

(2) "Local government" or "unit of local government" means any unit of local government as defined in Article VII, Section 1 of the Illinois Constitution.

(3) "Third party administrator" means a service provider selected by the Department to provide operational assistance with the administration of the support program.

(e) Powers of the Department. The Department has the power to:

(1) Provide financial support to eligible units of local government with funds appropriated from the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (Local CURE) Fund to cover necessary costs incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency that are eligible to be paid using federal funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

(2) Enter into agreements, accept funds, issue grants or expense reimbursements, and engage in cooperation with agencies of the federal government and units of local governments to carry out the purposes of this support program, and to use funds appropriated from the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (Local CURE) Fund upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the federal government and the Department.

(3) Enter into agreements with third-party administrators to assist the state with operational assistance and administrative functions related to review of documentation and processing of financial support payments to units of local government.

(4) Establish applications, notifications, contracts, and procedures and adopt rules deemed necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Section. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of this Act, emergency rules to implement any provision of this Section may be adopted by the Department subject to the provisions of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(5) Provide staff, administration, and related support required to manage the support program and pay for the staffing, administration, and related support with funds appropriated from the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (Local CURE) Fund.

(6) Exercise such other powers as are necessary or incidental to the foregoing.

(f) Local CURE financial support to local governments. The Department is authorized to provide financial support to eligible units of local government including, but not limited to, certified local health departments for necessary costs incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency that are eligible to be paid using federal funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

(1) Financial support funds may be used by a unit of local government only for payment of costs that: (i) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency of COVID-19; (ii) were not accounted for in the most recent budget approved as of March 27, 2020 for the unit of local government; and (iii) were incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, or until the end of any extension of the covered period authorized by federal law.

(2) A unit of local government receiving financial support funds under this program shall certify to the Department that it shall use the funds in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (1) and that any funds received but not used for such purposes shall be repaid to the Department.

(3) The Department shall make the determination to provide financial support funds to a unit of local government on the basis of criteria established by the Department.

(g) Additional purpose. The Local CURE Fund may receive, directly or indirectly, federal funds from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund pursuant to Section 9901 of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in order to distribute the funds to units of local government in accordance with Section 9901 of the American Recovery Plan Act and any related federal guidance. Upon receipt of such funds into the Local CURE Fund, as instructed by the Governor, the Department shall cooperate with the Department of Revenue and any other relevant agency to administer the distribution of such funds to the appropriate units of local government.

(Source: P.A. 101-636, eff. 6-10-20; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1050)

Sec. 605-1050. Coronavirus Back to Business Grant Program (or Back to Business Program).

(a) Purpose. The Department may receive State funds and, directly or indirectly, federal funds under the authority of legislation passed in response to the Coronavirus epidemic including, but not limited to, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, P.L. 116-136 (the "CARES Act") and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 (the "ARPA Act"); such funds shall be used in accordance with the CARES Act and ARPA Act legislation and published guidance. Section 5001 of the CARES Act establishes the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which authorizes the State to expend funds that are necessary to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The financial support of Qualifying Businesses is a necessary expense under federal guidance for implementing Section 5001 of the CARES Act. Upon receipt or availability of such State or federal funds, and subject to appropriations for their use, the Department shall administer a program to provide financial assistance to Qualifying Businesses that have experienced interruption of business or other adverse conditions attributable to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Support may be provided directly by the Department to businesses and organizations or in cooperation with a Qualified Partner. Financial assistance may include, but not be limited to grants, expense reimbursements, or subsidies.

(b) From appropriations for the Back to Business Program, up to $60,000,000 may be allotted to the repayment or conversion of Eligible Loans made pursuant to the Department's Emergency Loan Fund Program. An Eligible Loan may be repaid or converted through a grant payment, subsidy, or reimbursement payment to the recipient or, on behalf of the recipient, to the Qualified Partner, or by any other lawful method.

(c) From appropriations for the Back to Business Program, the Department shall provide financial assistance through grants, expense reimbursements, or subsidies to Qualifying Businesses or a Qualified Partner to cover expenses or losses incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency or for start-up costs of a new Qualifying Business. All spending related to this program from federal funds must be reimbursable by the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund in accordance with Section 5001 of the federal CARES Act, the ARPA Act, and any related federal guidance, or the provisions of any other federal source supporting the program.

(d) As more fully described in subsection (c), funds will be appropriated to the Back to Business Program for distribution to or on behalf of Qualifying Businesses. Of the funds appropriated, a minimum of 40% shall be allotted for Qualifying Businesses with ZIP codes located in the most disproportionately impacted areas of Illinois, based on positive COVID-19 cases.

(e) The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Human Services with respect to making grants, expense reimbursements or subsidies to any child care or day care provider providing services under Section 9A-11 of the Illinois Public Aid Code to determine what resources the Department of Human Services may be providing to a child care or day care provider under Section 9A-11 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(f) The Department may establish by rule administrative procedures for the grant program, including any application procedures, grant agreements, certifications, payment methodologies, and other accountability measures that may be imposed upon participants in the program. The emergency rulemaking process may be used to promulgate the initial rules of the grant program and any amendments to the rules following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(g) Definitions. As used in this Section:

(1) "COVID-19" means the novel coronavirus disease deemed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020.

(2) "Qualifying Business" means a business or organization that has experienced or is experiencing business interruption or other adverse conditions due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and includes a new business or organization started after March 1, 2020 in the midst of adverse conditions due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

(3) "Eligible Loan" means a loan of up to $50,000 that was deemed eligible for funding under the Department's Emergency Loan Fund Program and for which repayment will be eligible for reimbursement from Coronavirus Relief Fund monies pursuant to Section 5001 of the federal CARES Act or the ARPA Act and any related federal guidance.

(4) "Emergency Loan Fund Program", also referred to as the "COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program", is a program executed by the Department by which the State Small Business Credit Initiative fund is utilized to guarantee loans released by a financial intermediary or Qualified Partner.

(5) "Qualified Partner" means a financial institution or nonprofit with which the Department has entered into an agreement or contract to provide or incentivize assistance to Qualifying Businesses.

(h) Powers of the Department. The Department has the power to:

(1) provide grants, subsidies and expense reimbursements to Qualifying Businesses or, on behalf of Qualifying Businesses, to Qualifying Partners from appropriations to cover Qualifying Businesses eligible costs or losses incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including losses caused by business interruption or closure and including start-up costs for new Qualifying Businesses;

(2) enter into agreements, accept funds, issue grants, and engage in cooperation with agencies of the federal government, units of local government, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations to carry out the purposes of this Program, and to use funds appropriated for the Back to Business Program;

(3) prepare forms for application, notification, contract, and other matters, and establish procedures, rules, or regulations deemed necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Section;

(4) provide staff, administration, and related support required to manage the Back to Business Program and pay for the staffing, administration, and related support;

(5) using data provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and other reputable sources, determine which geographic regions in Illinois have been most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, considering factors of positive cases, positive case rates, and economic impact; and

(6) determine which industries and businesses in Illinois have been most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and establish procedures that prioritize greatly impacted industries and businesses, as well as Qualifying Businesses that did not receive paycheck protection program assistance.

(Source: P.A. 101-636, eff. 6-10-20; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1055)

Sec. 605-1055. Illinois SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program.

(a) There is established the Illinois Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Funds Program to be administered by the Department. In order to foster job creation and economic development in the State, the Department may make grants to eligible businesses to match funds received by the business as an SBIR or STTR Phase I award and to encourage businesses to apply for Phase II awards.

(b) In order to be eligible for a grant under this Section, a business must satisfy all of the following conditions:

(1) The business must be a for-profit, Illinois-based business. For the purposes of this Section, an Illinois-based business is one that has its principal place of business in this State;

(2) The business must have received an SBIR/STTR Phase I award from a participating federal agency in response to a specific federal solicitation. To receive the full match, the business must also have submitted a final Phase I report, demonstrated that the sponsoring agency has interest in the Phase II proposal, and submitted a Phase II proposal to the agency.

(3) The business must satisfy all federal SBIR/STTR requirements.

(4) The business shall not receive concurrent funding support from other sources that duplicates the purpose of this Section.

(5) The business must certify that at least 51% of the research described in the federal SBIR/STTR Phase II proposal will be conducted in this State and that the business will remain an Illinois-based business for the duration of the SBIR/STTR Phase II project.

(6) The business must demonstrate its ability to conduct research in its SBIR/STTR Phase II proposal.

(c) The Department may award grants to match the funds received by a business through an SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal up to a maximum of $50,000. Seventy-five percent of the total grant shall be remitted to the business upon receipt of the SBIR/STTR Phase I award and application for funds under this Section. Twenty-five percent of the total grant shall be remitted to the business upon submission by the business of the Phase II application to the funding agency and acceptance of the Phase I report by the funding agency. A business may receive only one grant under this Section per year. A business may receive only one grant under this Section with respect to each federal proposal submission. Over its lifetime, a business may receive a maximum of 5 awards under this Section.

(d) A business shall apply, under oath, to the Department for a grant under this Section on a form prescribed by the Department that includes at least all of the following:

(1) the name of the business, the form of business organization under which it is operated, and the names and addresses of the principals or management of the business;

(2) an acknowledgment of receipt of the Phase I report and Phase II proposal by the relevant federal agency; and

(3) any other information necessary for the Department to evaluate the application.

(Source: P.A. 101-657, eff. 3-23-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1057)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2031)

Sec. 605-1057. State-designated cultural districts.

(a) As used in this Section, "State-designated cultural district" means a geographical area certified under this Section that has a distinct, historic, and cultural identity. Municipalities or 501(c)(3) organizations working on behalf of a certified geographical area should seek to:

(1) Promote a distinct historic and cultural community.

(2) Encourage economic development and support entrepreneurship in the geographic area and community.

(3) Encourage the preservation and development of historic and culturally significant structures, traditions, and languages.

(4) Foster local cultural development and education.

(5) Provide a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of the community.

(6) Promote growth and opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality.

(b) Administrative authority. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish criteria and guidelines for State-designated cultural districts by rule in accordance with qualifying criteria outlined in subsection (c). In executing its powers and duties under this Section, the Department shall:

(1) establish a competitive application system by which a community may apply for certification as a State-designated cultural district;

(2) provide technical assistance for State-designated cultural districts by collaborating with all relevant offices and grantees of the Department to help them identify and achieve their goals for cultural preservation, including, but not limited to, promotional support of State-designated cultural districts and support for small businesses looking to access resources;

(3) collaborate with other State agencies, units of local government, community organizations, and private entities to maximize the benefits of State-designated cultural districts; and

(4) establish an advisory committee to advise the Department on program rules and the certification process. The advisory committee shall reflect the diversity of the State of Illinois, including geographic, racial, and ethnic diversity. The advisory committee must include:

(A) a representative of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity appointed by the Director;

(B) a representative of the Department of Agriculture appointed by the Director of Agriculture;

(C) a representative of the Illinois Housing Development Authority appointed by the Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority;

(D) two members of the House of Representatives appointed one each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(E) two members of the Senate appointed one each by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate; and

(F) four community representatives appointed by the Governor representing diverse racial, ethnic, and geographic groups not captured in the membership of the other designees, with the input of community and stakeholder groups.

(c) Certification. A geographical area within the State may be certified as a State-designated cultural district by applying to the Department for certification. Certification as a State-designated cultural district shall be for a period of 10 years, after which the district may renew certification every 5 years. A municipality or 501(c)(3) organization may apply for certification on behalf of a geographic area. The applying entity is responsible for complying with reporting requirements under subsection (f). The Department shall develop criteria to assess whether an applicant qualifies for certification under this Section. That criteria must include a demonstration that the applicant and the community:

(1) have been historically impacted and are currently at risk of losing their cultural identity because of gentrification, displacement, or the COVID-19 pandemic;

(2) can demonstrate a history of economic disinvestment; and

(3) can demonstrate strong community support for the cultural district designation through active and formal participation by community organizations and municipal and regional government agencies or officials.

(d) Each applicant shall be encouraged by the Department to:

(1) have development plans that include and prioritize the preservation of local businesses and retention of existing residents and businesses; and

(2) have an education framework in place informed with a vision of food justice, social justice, community sustainability, and social equity.

(e) The Department shall award no more than 5 State-designated cultural districts every year. At no point shall the total amount of State-designated cultural districts be more than 15, unless otherwise directed by the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in consultation with the advisory committee.

(f) Within 12 months after being designated a cultural district, the State-designated cultural district shall submit a report to the Department detailing its current programs and goals for the next 4 years of its designation. For each year thereafter that the district remains a State-designated cultural district, it shall submit a report to the Department on the status of the program and future developments of the district. Any State-designated cultural district that fails to file a report for 2 consecutive years shall lose its status.

(g) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2031.

(Source: P.A. 102-628, eff. 1-1-22; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1060)

Sec. 605-1060. Illinois Innovation Voucher Program.

(a) The Department is authorized to establish the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered in accordance with this Section for the purpose of fostering research and development in key industry clusters leading to the creation of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. The Department may award innovation vouchers to eligible businesses to offset a portion of expenses incurred through a collaborative research engagement with an Illinois institution of higher education.

(b) The Department may award matching funds in the form of innovation vouchers up to 75% of the cost of the research engagement not to exceed $75,000. A business may receive only one innovation voucher under this Section per year.

(c) The Department when administering the Program under this Section:

(1) must encourage participation among small and mid-sized businesses;

(2) must encourage participation in the Program in diverse geographic and economic areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State; and

(3) must encourage participation in the Program from businesses that operate in key industries, as defined by the Department. These industries include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) agribusiness and agtech; (ii) energy; (iii) information technology; (iv) life sciences and healthcare; (v) manufacturing; and (vi) transportation and logistics.

(d) In order to be eligible for an innovation voucher under this Section, a business must satisfy all of the following conditions:

(1) the business must be an Illinois-based business. For the purposes of this Section, "Illinois-based business" means a business that has its principal place of business in this State or that employs at least 100 full-time employees, as defined under Section 5-5 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act, in this State;

(2) the business must remain in this State for the duration of research engagement; and

(3) the partnering institution of higher education must be an Illinois-based institution of higher education and non-profit. For the purposes of this Section, "Illinois-based institution of higher education" means an institution of higher education that has its main physical campus in this State.

(e) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-421, eff. 8-20-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1065)

Sec. 605-1065. American Rescue Plan Capital Assets Program (or ARPCAP). From funds appropriated, directly or indirectly, from moneys received by the State from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, the Department shall expend funds for grants, contracts, and loans to eligible recipients for purposes permitted by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and all related federal guidance.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1070)

Sec. 605-1070. Rulemaking authority for EDGE Credit; sunset extensions for expiring credits; disaster declaration. The Department shall adopt rules, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, to identify any and all Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits that are earned, existing, and unused by a taxpayer in any tax year where there is a statewide COVID-19 public health emergency, as evidenced by an effective disaster declaration of the Governor covering all counties in the State. The rules adopted by the Department shall allow for the extension of credits, for at least 5 years and up to 10 years after the last statewide COVID-19 related disaster declaration has ended, that are earned, existing, or set to expire during a tax year where there is a statewide COVID-19 public health emergency as evidenced by an effective disaster declaration of the Governor covering all counties. In order for a credit to be extended a taxpayer shall provide evidence, in a form prescribed by the Department, that the taxpayer was or will be unable to utilize credits due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1075)

Sec. 605-1075. Energy Transition Assistance Fund.

(a) The General Assembly hereby declares that management of several economic development programs requires a consolidated funding source to improve resource efficiency. The General Assembly specifically recognizes that properly serving communities and workers impacted by the energy transition requires that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have access to the resources required for the execution of the programs for workforce and contractor development, just transition investments and community support, and the implementation and administration of energy and justice efforts by the State.

(b) The Department shall be responsible for the administration of the Energy Transition Assistance Fund and shall allocate funding on the basis of priorities established in this Section. Each year, the Department shall determine the available amount of resources in the Fund that can be allocated to the programs identified in this Section, and allocate the funding accordingly. The Department shall, to the extent practical, consider both the short-term and long-term costs of the programs and allocate funding so that the Department is able to cover both the short-term and long-term costs of these programs using projected revenue.

The available funding for each year shall be allocated from the Fund in the following order of priority:

(1) for costs related to the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, up to $21,000,000 annually prior to June 1, 2023 and $24,333,333 annually thereafter;

(2) for costs related to the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, up to $21,000,000 annually;

(3) for costs related to the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program, up to $9,000,000 annually;

(4) for costs related to the Barrier Reduction Program, up to $21,000,000 annually;

(5) for costs related to the Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program, up to $34,000,000 annually;

(6) for costs related to the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program, up to $6,000,000 annually;

(7) for costs related to Energy Transition Navigators, up to $6,000,000 annually;

(8) for costs related to the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, up to $10,000,000 annually;

(9) for costs related to Energy Transition Community Support Grants, up to $40,000,000 annually;

(10) for costs related to the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Scholarship, upon request by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, up to $1,100,000 annually;

(11) up to $10,000,000 annually shall be transferred to the Public Utilities Fund for use by the Illinois Commerce Commission for costs of administering the changes made to the Public Utilities Act by this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly;

(12) up to $4,000,000 annually shall be transferred to the Illinois Power Agency Operations Fund for use by the Illinois Power Agency; and

(13) for costs related to the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund, up to $1,000,000 annually.

The Department is authorized to utilize up to 10% of the Energy Transition Assistance Fund for administrative and operational expenses to implement the requirements of this Act.

(c) Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, each electric utility serving more than 500,000 customers in the State shall report to the Department its total kilowatt-hours of energy delivered during the 12 months ending on the immediately preceding May 31. By October 31, 2021 and each October 31 thereafter, each electric utility serving more than 500,000 customers in the State shall report to the Department its total kilowatt-hours of energy delivered during the 12 months ending on the immediately preceding May 31.

(d) The Department shall, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly:

(1) determine the amount necessary, but not more than $180,000,000, to meet the funding needs of the programs reliant upon the Energy Transition Assistance Fund as a revenue source for the period between the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly and December 31, 2021;

(2) determine, based on the kilowatt-hour deliveries for the 12 months ending May 31, 2021 reported by the electric utilities under subsection (c), the total energy transition assistance charge to be allocated to each electric utility for the period between the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly and December 31, 2021; and

(3) report the total energy transition assistance charge applicable until December 31, 2021 to each electric utility serving more than 500,000 customers in the State and the Illinois Commerce Commission for purposes of filing the tariff pursuant to Section 16-108.30 of the Public Utilities Act.

(e) The Department shall by November 30, 2021, and each November 30 thereafter:

(1) determine the amount necessary, but not more than $180,000,000, to meet the funding needs of the programs reliant upon the Energy Transition Assistance Fund as a revenue source for the immediately following calendar year;

(2) determine, based on the kilowatt-hour deliveries for the 12 months ending on the immediately preceding May 31 reported to it by the electric utilities under subsection (c), the total energy transition assistance charge to be allocated to each electric utility for the immediately following calendar year; and

(3) report the energy transition assistance charge applicable for the immediately following calendar year to each electric utility serving more than 500,000 customers in the State and the Illinois Commerce Commission for purposes of filing the tariff pursuant to Section 16-108.30 of the Public Utilities Act.

(f) The energy transition assistance charge may not exceed $180,000,000 annually. If, at the end of the calendar year, any surplus remains in the Energy Transition Assistance Fund, the Department may allocate the surplus from the fund in the following order of priority:

(1) for costs related to the development of the Stretch Energy Codes and other standards at the Capital Development Board, up to $500,000 annually, at the request of the Board;

(2) up to $7,000,000 annually shall be transferred to the Energy Efficiency Trust Fund and Clean Air Act Permit Fund for use by the Environmental Protection Agency for costs related to energy efficiency and weatherization, and costs of implementation, administration, and enforcement of the Clean Air Act; and

(3) for costs related to State fleet electrification at the Department of Central Management Services, up to $10,000,000 annually, at the request of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1080)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)

Sec. 605-1080. Personal care products industry supplier disparity study.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall compile and publish a disparity study by December 31, 2027 that: (1) evaluates demographic data at the supplier or distribution level for retailers of beauty products, cosmetics, hair care supplies, and personal care products in the State of Illinois; and (2) includes recommendations for reducing or eliminating any barriers to entry for underrepresented populations wishing to establish businesses at the retail level involving such products. The Department shall forward a copy of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor.

(b) The Department may compile, collect, or otherwise gather data necessary for the administration of this Section and to carry out the Department's duty relating to the recommendation of policy changes. The Department shall compile all of the data into a single report, submit the report to the Governor and the General Assembly, and publish the report on its website.

(c) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2029.

(Source: P.A. 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 103-563, eff. 11-17-23; 103-742, eff. 8-2-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1085)

Sec. 605-1085. The Illinois Small Business Fund. The Illinois Small Business Fund is created as a nonappropriated separate and apart trust fund in the State Treasury. The Department shall use moneys in the Fund to manage proceeds that result from investments that the Department has undertaken through economic development programs, including, but not limited to, the Department's Venture Capital Investment Program. The Department may use moneys collected to reinvest in small business and economic development initiatives through grants or loans. The Fund may receive any grants or other moneys designated for small business growth from the State, or any unit of federal or local government, or any other person, firm, partnership, or corporation. Any interest earnings that are attributable to moneys in the Fund must be deposited into the Fund.

(Source: P.A. 102-330, eff. 1-1-22; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1090)

Sec. 605-1090. Illinois Innovation Voucher Program.

(a) The Department is authorized to establish the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered in accordance with this Section for the purpose of fostering research and development in key industry clusters leading to the creation of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. Subject to appropriation, the Department may award innovation vouchers to eligible businesses to offset a portion of expenses incurred through a collaborative research engagement with an Illinois institution of higher education.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department may award matching funds in the form of innovation vouchers up to 75% of the cost of the research engagement not to exceed $75,000. A business may receive only one innovation voucher under this Section per year.

(c) The Department, when administering the Program under this Section:

(1) must encourage participation among small and mid-sized businesses;

(2) must encourage participation in the Program in diverse geographic and economic areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State; and

(3) must encourage participation in the Program from businesses that operate in key industries, as defined by the Department. These industries include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) agribusiness and agtech; (ii) energy; (iii) information technology; (iv) life sciences and healthcare; (v) manufacturing; and (vi) transportation and logistics.

(d) In order to be eligible for an innovation voucher under this Section, a business must satisfy all of the following conditions:

(1) the business must be an Illinois-based business. For the purposes of this Section, "Illinois-based business" means a business that has its principal place of business in this State or that employs at least 100 full-time employees, as defined under Section 5-5 of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act, in this State;

(2) the business must remain in this State for the duration of research engagement; and

(3) the partnering institution of higher education must be an Illinois-based institution of higher education and non-profit. For the purposes of this Section, "Illinois-based institution of higher education" means an institution of higher education that has its main physical campus in this State.

(e) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-648, eff. 8-27-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1095)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on December 31, 2024)

Sec. 605-1095. Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program.

(a) In 2019, the hotel industry in the State of Illinois directly employed more than 60,000 people and generated $4,000,000,000 in State and local taxes. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in three hotel workers were laid off or furloughed, and hotels lost $3,600,000,000 in economic activity. Unlike other segments of the hospitality industry, the hotel industry has not received any direct hotel-specific support from the federal government. Funds awarded under this Section will be used by hotels to support their workforce and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

(b) As used in this Section:

"Hotel" means any building or buildings in which the public may, for a consideration, obtain living quarters or sleeping or housekeeping accommodations. The term includes, but is not limited to, inns, motels, tourist homes or courts, lodging houses, rooming houses, retreat centers, conference centers, and hunting lodges. "Hotel" does not include a short-term rental.

"Short-term rental" means a single-family dwelling, or a residential dwelling unit in a multi-unit structure, condominium, cooperative, timeshare, or similar joint property ownership arrangement, that is rented for a fee for less than 30 consecutive days. "Short-term rental" includes a vacation rental.

"Operator" and "room" have the meanings given to those terms in the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act.

(c) The Department may receive State funds and, directly or indirectly, federal funds under the authority of legislation passed in response to the Coronavirus epidemic including, but not limited to, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, (Public Law 117-2) ("ARPA"); such funds shall be used in accordance with the ARPA legislation and other State and federal law. Upon receipt or availability of such State or federal funds, and subject to appropriations for their use, the Department shall establish the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program for the purpose of providing direct relief to hotels impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on an application filed by the hotel operator, the Department shall award a one-time grant in an amount of up to $1,500 for each room in the hotel. Every hotel in operation in the state prior to March 12, 2020 that remains in operation shall be eligible to apply for the grant. Grant awards shall be scaled based on a process determined by the Department, including reducing the grant amount by previous state and local relief provided to the business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(d) Any operator who receives grant funds under this Section shall use a minimum of 80% of the funds on payroll costs, to the extent permitted by Section 9901 of ARPA, including, but not limited to, wages, benefits, and employer contributions to employee healthcare costs. The remaining funds shall be used on any other costs and losses permitted by ARPA.

(e) Within 12 months after receiving grant funds under this Section, the operator shall submit a written attestation to the Department acknowledging compliance with subsection (d).

(f) The Department may establish by rule administrative procedures for the grant program, including any application procedures, grant agreements, certifications, payment methodologies, and other accountability measures that may be imposed upon participants in the program. The emergency rulemaking process may be used to promulgate the initial rules of the program following April 19, 2022 (the effective date of Public Act 102-699).

(g) The Department has the power to issue grants and enter into agreements with eligible hotels to carry out the purposes of this program.

(h) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2024.

(Source: P.A. 102-699, eff. 4-19-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1096)

Sec. 605-1096. Industrial Biotechnology Workforce Development Grant Program.

(a) The Industrial Biotechnology Workforce Development Grant Program is hereby established as a program to be implemented and administered by the Department. The Program shall provide grants for the purpose of fostering a well-trained and well-skilled industrial biotechnology workforce.

(b) Subject to appropriation, grants under the Program may be awarded on an annual basis for one or more of the following:

(1) industrial biotechnology apprenticeships or apprenticeship programs;

(2) industrial biotechnology talent pipeline management programs that emphasize business-oriented strategies to increase workforce competitiveness, improve workforce diversity, and expand a regional talent pool around high-growth industries;

(3) industrial biotechnology industry-aligned credential (digital badging) expansion programs to increase the number of workers with in-demand skills needed to obtain a job or advance within the workplace and for merging competency-based education with responsive workforce training strategies; and

(4) high school and community college industrial biotechnology career pathway and pre-apprenticeship program development.

(c) To be eligible for grants provided under the Program, an entity must be either: (i) a State-sponsored, university-affiliated laboratory or research institution conducting collaboratives or for-hire research in the development of biorenewable chemicals, bio-based polymers, materials, novel feeds, or additional value-added biorenewables; or (ii) a State-accredited university or community college. An eligible entity must establish that it plans to use grant funds for a purpose specifically provided under subsection (b).

(d) On or before January 31 of the next calendar year to occur after the last day of any State fiscal year in which the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity receives State funding for the Program under this Section, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor on the use of grant funds under the Program. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the disbursement of grant funds, categorized by eligible entity; (ii) the number of persons enrolled in or taking advantage of a program established or maintained using grant funds; (iii) the number of persons completing a program established or maintained using grant funds; and (iv) the number of person gaining employment in the industrial biotechnology industry following completion of a program established or maintained using grant funds.

(e) The Department shall adopt all rules necessary for the implementation and administration of the Program under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-991, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1100)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on December 31, 2024)

Sec. 605-1100. Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program.

(a) As used in this Section, "eligible entity" means a restaurant or tavern that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) the restaurant or tavern is located in the State of Illinois;

(2) the restaurant or tavern is eligible to receive federal grant funds under Section 5003 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("ARPA");

(3) the restaurant or tavern employs 50 or fewer employees;

(4) the restaurant or tavern was in operation as of March 12, 2020 and remains in operation; and

(5) the restaurant or tavern has not received financial assistance pursuant to the federal Restaurant Revitalization Grant Program; the State Back to Business Grant Program or the Business Interruption Grant program; or any other local or State program providing more than $10,000 in grants or forgiven loans since April 1, 2020.

(b) The Department may receive State funds and, directly or indirectly, federal funds under the authority of legislation passed in response to the Coronavirus epidemic including, but not limited to, ARPA; such funds shall be used in accordance with the ARPA legislation and other State and federal law. Upon receipt or availability of such State or federal funds, and subject to appropriations for their use, the Department shall establish the Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program for the purpose of providing direct economic relief to eligible entities that continue to be impacted by COVID-19 economic pandemic conditions. The Department shall award a one-time grant in an amount of up to $50,000 to each eligible entity. Grant award amounts will be determined, based on the eligible entity's reported losses during a timeframe determined by the Department.

(c) Eligible entities receiving grant funds under this Section shall use those grant funds only for the following purposes, to the extent permitted by Section 9901 of ARPA and related federal guidance, including but not limited to the following: payroll costs; paid sick leave; employer contributions to employee health care costs; payments of principal or interest on any mortgage obligation; rent payments, including rent under a lease agreement; utilities; maintenance; and operational expenses.

(d) Within one year after receiving grant funds under this Section, the eligible entity shall submit a written attestation to the Department acknowledging compliance with subsection (c). The Department shall establish additional reporting requirements based on reporting guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Treasury for Section 9901 of ARPA by administrative rule.

(e) If an eligible entity that receives a grant under this Section fails to use all of those grant funds within one year after receiving the grant, the eligible entity shall return to the Department any grant funds that the eligible entity received under this Section and did not use for allowable expenses under subsection (c).

(f) The Department may establish by rule administrative procedures for the grant program, including any application procedures, grant agreements, certifications, payment methodologies, and other accountability measures that may be imposed upon participants in the program. The emergency rulemaking process may be used to promulgate the initial rules of the program following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(g) The Department has the power to issue grants and enter into agreements with eligible entities to carry out the purposes of this program.

(h) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2024.

(Source: P.A. 102-699, eff. 4-19-22.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1103)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on December 31, 2024)

Sec. 605-1103. Power price mitigation assistance. Subject to appropriation from such funds made available, the Department shall reimburse up to $200,000,000 to an eligible electric utility serving adversely impacted residential and small commercial customers pursuant to Section 16-107.7 of the Public Utilities Act. This Section is repealed December 31, 2024.

(Source: P.A. 102-1123, eff. 1-27-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/1105)

Sec. 1105. (Renumbered).

(Source: P.A. 102-1123, eff. 1-27-23. Renumbered by P.A. 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1105)

Sec. 605-1105. Local chambers of commerce recovery grants and business program.

(a) Subject to appropriation of funds for the purposes described in this Section, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish a program to award grants to local chambers of commerce.

(a-5) This subsection applies to grants under this Section that are funded by State or federal funds that are allocated to the State under the authority of legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department shall award an aggregate amount of up to $5,000,000 in grants under this subsection to eligible chambers of commerce. Each eligible chamber of commerce that applies to the Department for a grant under this subsection shall certify to the Department the difference between the chamber of commerce's total annual revenue in calendar year 2019 and the chamber of commerce's total annual revenue in calendar year 2020. The maximum amount that may be awarded to any eligible chamber of commerce during the first round of grants under this subsection is one-sixth of the certified amount. In determining grant amounts awarded under this subsection, the Department may consider any awards that the chamber of commerce has received from the Back to Business Grant Program or the Business Interruption Grant Program. If the entire amount of moneys appropriated for the purposes of this subsection has not been allocated after a first round of grants is made, the Department may award additional funds to eligible chambers of commerce from the remaining funds.

(a-10) This subsection applies to grants awarded under this Section from sources other than State or federal funds that are allocated to the State under the authority or legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants under this subsection may be used to market and develop the service area of the chamber of commerce for the purposes of generating local, county, and State business taxes and providing small businesses with professional development, business guidance, and best practices for sustainability. No single chamber of commerce shall receive grant awards under this subsection in excess of $50,000 in any State fiscal year.

(a-15) Grants awarded under subsection (a-5) or (a-10) of this Section shall not be used to make any direct lobbying expenditure, as defined in subsection (c) of Section 4911 of the Internal Revenue Code, or to engage in any political campaign activity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(b) For grants awarded under subsection (a-5), the Department may use State funds and federal funds that are allocated to the State under the authority of legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide grants under this Section. Those federal funds include, but are not limited to, funds allocated to the State under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Any federal moneys used for this purpose shall be used in accordance with the federal legislation authorizing the use of those funds and related federal guidance as well as any other applicable State and federal laws. For grants awarded under subsection (a-10), the Department may use general revenue funds or any other funds that may lawfully be used for the purposes of this Section.

(c) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the grant program created by this Section. The emergency rulemaking process may be used to promulgate the initial rules of the program following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(d) As used in this Section, "eligible chamber of commerce" means an organization of business and professional persons dedicated to improving the economic climate and business development of the community, area, or region in which the organization is located and that:

(1) operates as an approved not-for-profit corporation;

(2) is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

(3) has an annual revenue of $1,000,000 or less;

(4) files a 990 federal tax form with the Internal Revenue Service;

(5) has or will have each of the following at the time of award determination:

(A) governance bylaws;

(B) financial policies and procedures; and

(C) a mission and vision statement; and

(6) for grants awarded under subsection (a-5), has experienced an identifiable negative economic impact resulting from or exacerbated by the public health emergency or served a community disproportionately impacted by a public health emergency.

(Source: P.A. 102-1115, eff. 1-9-23; 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1110)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 605-1110. Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee.

(a) The Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee is hereby created within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Committee shall issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly containing recommendations for providing liability insurance to (i) public high school students who participate in a career development experience or apprenticeship program and community college students who participate in a career development experience or apprenticeship program and (ii) public school teachers who participate in externship programs and community college faculty who participate in externship programs. The report shall be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2023. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the Committee.

(b) The Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or his or her designee;

(2) one member representing the State Board of Education, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(3) one member representing the Illinois Community College Board, appointed by the Chairman of the Illinois Community College Board;

(4) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(5) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the House Minority Leader;

(6) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Senate President;

(7) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(8) 2 members of a statewide association representing manufacturers, appointed by the Governor;

(9) 2 members of a statewide association representing the insurance industry, appointed by the Governor; and

(10) 2 members who represent unionized State employees, appointed by the Governor.

Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the original appointing authority.

(c) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2025.

(Source: P.A. 103-353, eff. 7-28-23.)

(20 ILCS 605/605-1115)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-595)

Sec. 605-1115. Quantum computing campuses.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Data center" means a facility: (1) whose primary services are the storage, management, and processing of digital data; and (2) that is used to house (A) computer and network systems, including associated components such as servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, and data storage systems, (B) systems for monitoring and managing infrastructure performance, (C) Internet-related equipment and services, (D) data communications connections, (E) environmental controls, (F) fire protection systems, and (G) security systems and services.

"Full-time equivalent job" means a job in which an employee works for a tenant of the quantum campus at a rate of at least 35 hours per week. Vacations, paid holidays, and sick time are included in this computation. Overtime is not considered a part of regular hours.

"Quantum computing campus" or "campus" is a contiguous area located in the State of Illinois that is designated by the Department as a quantum computing campus in order to support the demand for quantum computing research, development, and implementation for practical use. A quantum computing campus may include educational intuitions, nonprofit research and development organizations, and for-profit organizations serving as anchor tenants and joining tenants that, with approval from the Department, may change. Tenants located at the campus shall have direct and supporting roles in quantum computing activities. Eligible tenants include quantum computer operators and research facilities, data centers, manufacturers and assemblers of quantum computers and component parts, cryogenic or refrigeration facilities, and other facilities determined, by industry and academic leaders, to be fundamental to the research and development of quantum computing for practical solutions. Quantum computing shall include the research, development, and use of computing methods that generate and manipulate quantum bits in a controlled quantum state. This includes the use of photons, semiconductors, superconductors, trapped ions, and other industry and academically regarded methods for simulating quantum bits. Additionally, a quantum campus shall meet the following criteria:

(1) the campus must comprise a minimum of one-half square mile and not more than 4 square miles;

(2) the campus must contain tenants that demonstrate a substantial plan for using the designation to encourage participation by organizations owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, as those terms are defined in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and the hiring of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities;

(3) upon being placed in service, within 60 months after designation or incorporation into a campus, the owners of property located in a campus shall certify to the Department that the property is carbon neutral or has attained certification under one or more of the following green building standards:

(A) BREEAM for New Construction or BREEAM, In-Use;

(B) ENERGY STAR;

(C) Envision;

(D) ISO 50001-energy management;

(E) LEED for Building Design and Construction, or LEED for Operations and Maintenance;

(F) Green Globes for New Construction, or Green Globes for Existing Buildings;

(G) UL 3223; or

(H) an equivalent program approved by the Department.

(b) Tenants located in a designated quantum computing campus shall qualify for the following exemptions and credits:

(1) the Department may certify a taxpayer for an exemption from any State or local use tax or retailers' occupation tax on building materials that will be incorporated into real estate at a quantum computing campus;

(2) an exemption from the charges imposed under Section 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act, Section 5-10 of the Gas Use Tax Law, Section 2-4 of the Electricity Excise Tax Law, Section 2 of the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, Section 10 of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Act, and Section 5-7 of the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act; and

(3) a credit against the taxes imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act as provided in Section 241 of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

(c) Certificates of exemption and credit certificates under this Section shall be issued by 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.

(d) Entities seeking to form a quantum computing campus must apply to the Department in the manner specified by the Department. Entities seeking to join an established campus must apply for an amendment to the existing campus. This application for amendment must be submitted to the Department with support from other campus members.

The Department shall determine the duration of certificates of exemption awarded under this Act. The duration of the certificates of exemption may not exceed 20 calendar years and one renewal for an additional 20 years.

The Department and any tenant located in a quantum computing campus seeking the benefits under this Section must enter into a memorandum of understanding that, at a minimum, provides:

(1) the details for determining the amount of capital investment to be made;

(2) the number of new jobs created;

(3) the timeline for achieving the capital investment and new job goals;

(4) the repayment obligation should those goals not be achieved and any conditions under which repayment by the tenant or tenants claiming the exemption shall be required;

(5) the duration of the exemptions; and

(6) other provisions as deemed necessary by the Department.

The Department shall, within 10 days after the designation, send a letter of notification to each member of the General Assembly whose legislative district or representative district contains all or part of the designated area.

(e) Beginning on July 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Department shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the outcomes and effectiveness of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly. The report shall include the following:

(1) the names of each tenant located within the quantum computing campus;

(2) the location of each quantum computing campus;

(3) the estimated value of the credits to be issued to quantum computing campus tenants;

(4) the number of new jobs and, if applicable, retained jobs pledged at each quantum computing campus; and

(5) whether or not the quantum computing campus is located in an underserved area, an energy transition zone, or an opportunity zone.

(f) Tenants at the quantum computing campus seeking a certificate of exemption related to the construction of required facilities shall require the contractor and all subcontractors to:

(1) comply with the requirements of Section 30-22 of the Illinois Procurement Code as those requirements apply to responsible bidders and to present satisfactory evidence of that compliance to the Department; and

(2) enter into a project labor agreement submitted to the Department.

(g) The Department shall not issue any new certificates of exemption under the provisions of this Section after July 1, 2030. This sunset shall not affect any existing certificates of exemption in effect on July 1, 2030.

(h) The Department shall adopt rules to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-595, eff. 6-26-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-811)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 605-1115. Creative Economy Task Force.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Creative Economy Task Force is created within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create a strategic plan to develop the creative economy in this State.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Director's designee, who shall serve as chair of the Task Force;

(2) the Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council or the Executive Director's designee, who shall serve as the vice-chair of the Task Force;

(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(6) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(7) one member from the banking industry with experience in matters involving the federal Small Business Administration, appointed by the Governor;

(8) one member from a certified public accounting firm or other company with experience in financial modeling and the creative arts, appointed by the Governor;

(9) one member recommended by a statewide organization representing counties, appointed by the Governor;

(10) one member from an Illinois public institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution with experience in matters involving cultural arts, appointed by the Governor;

(11) the Director of Labor or the Director's designee; and

(12) five members from this State's arts community, appointed by the Governor, including, but not limited to, the following sectors:

(A) film, television, and video production;

(B) recorded audio and music production;

(C) animation production;

(D) video game development;

(E) live theater, orchestra, ballet, and opera;

(F) live music performance;

(G) visual arts, including sculpture, painting, graphic design, and photography;

(H) production facilities, such as film and television studios;

(I) live music or performing arts venues; and

(J) arts service organizations.

(c) No later than July 1, 2026, the Task Force shall collect and analyze data on the current state of the creative economy in this State and develop a strategic plan to improve this State's creative economy that can be rolled out in incremental phases to reach identified economic, social justice, and business development goals. The goal of the strategic plan shall be to ensure that this State is competitive with respect to attracting creative economy business, retaining talent within this State, and developing marketable content that can be exported for national and international consumption and monetization. The strategic plan shall address support for the creative community within historically marginalized communities, as well as the creative economy at large, and take into account the diverse interests, strengths, and needs of the people of this State. In developing the strategic plan for the creative economy in this State, the Task Force shall:

(1) identify existing studies of aspects affecting the creative economy, including studies relating to tax issues, legislation, finance, population and demographics, and employment;

(2) conduct a comparative analysis with other jurisdictions that have successfully developed creative economy plans and programs;

(3) conduct in-depth interviews to identify best practices for structuring a strategic plan for this State;

(4) evaluate existing banking models for financing creative economy projects in the private sector and develop a financial model to promote investment in this State's creative economy;

(5) evaluate existing federal, State, and local tax incentives and make recommendations for improvements to support the creative economy;

(6) identify the role that counties and cities play with respect to the strategic plan and the specific counties and cities that may need or want a stronger creative economy;

(7) identify opportunities for aligning with new business models and the integration of new technologies;

(8) identify the role that State education programs in the creative arts play in the creative economy and with respect to advancing the strategic plan;

(9) identify geographic areas with the least amount of access or opportunity for a creative economy;

(10) identify opportunities for earn-and-learn job training employment for students who have enrolled or completed a program in the arts, low-income or unemployed creative workers, and others with demonstrated interest in creative work in their communities; and

(11) identify existing initiatives and projects that can be used as models for earn-and-learn opportunities or as examples of best practices for earn-and-learn opportunities that can be replicated Statewide or in different regions.

(d) The Task Force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than July 1, 2026.

(e) Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

(f) Appropriations for the Task Force may be used to support operational expenses of the Department, including entering into a contract with a third-party provider for administrative support.

(g) The Director or the Director's designee may, after issuing a request for proposals, designate a third-party provider to help facilitate Task Force meetings, compile information, and prepare the strategic plan described in subsection (c). A third-party provider contracted by the Director shall have experience conducting business in professional arts or experience in business development and drafting business plans and multidisciplinary planning documents.

(h) This Section is repealed January 1, 2027.

(Source: P.A. 103-811, eff. 8-9-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-882)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on June 1, 2026)

Sec. 605-1115. Task Force on Interjurisdictional Industrial Zoning Impacts.

(a) The General Assembly finds that industrial developments typically have regional impacts, both positive and negative. Those impacts extend beyond the zoning authority of the unit of local government where the development is located. Units of local government may experience impacts on public health, public safety, the environment, traffic, property values, population, and other considerations as a result of industrial development occurring outside of the their zoning jurisdiction, including areas adjacent to their borders.

(b) The Task Force on Interjurisdictional Industrial Zoning Impacts is created within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Task Force shall examine the following:

(1) current State and local zoning laws and policies related to large industrial developments;

(2) current State and local laws and policies related to annexation;

(3) State and local zoning and annexation laws and policies outside of Illinois;

(4) the potential impacts of large industrial developments on neighboring units of local government, including how those developments may affect residential communities;

(5) trends in industrial zoning across urban, suburban, and rural regions of Illinois;

(6) available methodologies to determine the impact of large industrial developments; and

(7) outcomes in recent zoning proceedings for large industrial developments or attempts to develop properties for large industrial purposes, including the recent attempt to convert a 101 acre campus in Lake County near Deerfield.

(c) The Task Force on Interjurisdictional Industrial Zoning Impacts shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or his or her designee;

(2) one member, appointed by the President of the Senate, representing a statewide organization of municipalities described in Section 1-8-1 of the Illinois Municipal Code;

(3) one member, appointed by the President of the Senate, representing a regional association of municipalities and mayors;

(4) one member, appointed by the President of the Senate, representing a regional association that represents the commercial real estate industry;

(5) one member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, representing a statewide association representing counties;

(6) one member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, representing a regional association of municipalities and mayors;

(7) one member, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, representing a statewide professional economic development association;

(8) one member, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, representing a statewide association of park districts;

(9) one member representing a statewide labor organization, appointed by the Governor;

(10) one member representing the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;

(11) one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(12) one member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(13) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(14) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(15) one member representing a statewide manufacturing association, appointed by the Governor.

(d) The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall meet at least once every 2 months. Upon the first meeting of the Task Force, the members of the Task Force shall elect a chairperson of the Task Force.

(f) The Task Force shall prepare a report on its findings concerning zoning for large industrial development and associated interjurisdictional impacts, including any recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2025.

(g) This Section is repealed June 1, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 103-882, eff. 8-9-24.)