Commerce

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that provisions requiring the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's official website to contain a comprehensive list of State, local, and federal economic benefits available to businesses in each of the State's counties and municipalities are repealed on July 1, 2026. Provides that the following reports shall be filed on or before January 31 of each year (instead of January 1): a report on entrepreneurial assistance centers; reports on the Enterprise Zone Loan Fund and the Large Business Attraction Fund; and reports concerning cannabis social equity. Amends the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act. Makes changes concerning the membership of the Board of the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Extends the sunset for the apprenticeship education expense tax credit, the research and development tax credit, the angel investment tax credit, and the River Edge Redevelopment Zone tax credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a State agency shall accept cash when offered as payment for any transaction totaling $500 or less. Prohibits a State agency from charging a higher price or adding any additional fee if a transaction conducted in cash. Amends the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards and Cash Act. Provides that a unit of local government shall accept cash when offered as payment for any transaction totaling $500 or less. Prohibits a unit of local government from charging a higher price or adding any additional fee if a transaction conducted in cash. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any person engaged in the business of selling or offering to sell goods or services at retail to the public with an individual accepting in-person payments at a physical location shall not: (1) refuse to accept cash as a form of payment for sales of less than $500 made at the physical location; (2) post a sign on the premises stating that cash payment is not accepted; or (3) charge a higher price to customers paying with cash compared to the price charged to customers not paying with cash. Sets forth exceptions to the provision. Provides that a violation of the provision is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Removes language requiring the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a freight rate information service for U.S. and foreign shippers. Repeals certain duties of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity related to a local government clearing house. Provides that the Department of Insurance (currently, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) shall provide administrative support to the Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee. Amends the Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to make conforming changes. Repeals the Illinois Emergency Employment Development Act. Amends the Music and Musicians Tax Credit and Jobs Act. Repeals certain provisions requiring the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to submit reports under that Act. Amends the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law. Sets forth provisions concerning grants from the Digital Divide Elimination Fund. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that, if a grocery store or a supermarket shows the price of an item on a screen or other display at the point of sale, and the item is being sold at a discount to the regular price, the display must show both the regular price and the discounted price when the price of the item is first displayed on the screen, rather than delaying the showing of the discounted price until the total price of all items is displayed, with specified exceptions. Provides that failure to comply with those requirements constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 815 ILCS 505/2WWW new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Sale Price Ad Act. Defines "retail mercantile establishment" to mean a retailer where 55% or more of its gross sales include nonprescription medicines and any cooked or uncooked article of food, beverage, alcohol, confection, or condiment, used for or intended to be used for human consumption off premises. Provides that if a discount is offered for an item, the retail mercantile establishment shall provide (i) the original price and the discounted price; (ii) the original price and a credit or reduction of the advertised savings; (iii) the amount saved or the amount reduced as a percentage; or (iv) any other format for showing the advertised savings of the discount to the consumer. Specifies exceptions. Denies home rule powers. Provides that a person or retail mercantile establishment shall not be fined in excess of $500 per year for violations under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish criteria and guidelines for State-designated cultural districts. Specifies powers and duties of the Department. Provides requirements concerning certification of State-designated cultural districts. Provides State-designated cultural district reporting requirements. Defines "State-designated cultural district". Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish an advisory committee to advise the Department on program rules and the certification process. Provides for the members of the advisory committee. Modifies and provides further requirements concerning certification of State-designated cultural districts. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of Senate Amendment No. 1, and makes a change providing that the advisory committee to advise the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on program rules and the certification process shall include 4 community representatives (rather than 2) 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. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 605/605-1057 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with changes. Modifies the powers and duties of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity regarding the establishment of State-designated cultural districts. Modifies the composition of the advisory committee. Provides that the advisory committee shall reflect the diversity of the State of Illinois, including geographic, racial, and ethnic diversity. Provides further requirements concerning certification of State-designated cultural districts. Provides that the Department shall award no more than 5 State-designated cultural districts every year, and that the total amount of State-designated cultural districts shall be more than 15. Provides that any State-designated cultural district that fails to file the specified required report for 2 consecutive years shall lose its status. Repeals provisions on July 1, 2031. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides for the appointment of members to the advisory committee by the Minority Leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate.