Budget & Taxes

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department on Aging for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $1,796,285,529; Other State Funds $13,373,800; Federal Funds $212,788,800; Total $2,022,448,129.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates a senior citizens homestead school levy exemption for property that is improved with a permanent structure that is occupied as a primary residence by an applicant who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year, (ii) has a household income that does not exceed the maximum income limitation, (iii) is liable for paying real property taxes on the property, (iv) is an owner of record of the property or has a legal or equitable interest in the property as evidenced by a written instrument, if no individual residing at the real property is or will be enrolled in a public school. Effective immediately.

House Bill 1964 appropriates two dollars from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Labor. This funding is designated for the department's ordinary and contingent expenses for Fiscal Year 2026, becoming effective on July 1, 2025.

HB 1602 makes Illinois' research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent, eliminating its previous expiration date. This directly affects Illinois businesses that conduct qualifying R&D activities, allowing them to continue claiming the credit without future renewal. The bill amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to establish the credit as a permanent provision, effective immediately. Businesses will no longer need to track temporary expiration dates for this tax benefit.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for qualified physicians who work in hospitals, health clinics, or independently and who work in underserved areas or in rural counties or rural municipalities. Provides that the credit shall be in the amount of $5,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Innovation Development and Economy Act. Provides that the corporate authorities of any political subdivision that (i) is not a home-rule unit and (ii) has established a STAR bond district under the Act may, by ordinance or resolution, impose a tourism tax upon all admission and amusement charges from transactions at places of business located within the STAR bond district, at a rate not to exceed 9% of the gross receipts derived from any admission and amusement charge within the STAR bond district, to be imposed only in 0.25% increments. Provides that the tax imposed under the provisions and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident of the tax under the provisions shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. Provides that, for any STAR bond district created on or after January 1, 2025, the Director of Revenue may only approve a STAR bond district if the Director finds that: (i) the proposed STAR bond district is an eligible area; (ii) the STAR bond district plan includes a projected capital investment of at least $500,000,000; (iii) the STAR bond district plan is reasonably projected to produce at least $100,000,000 of annual gross sales revenues, 1,500 new jobs, and 5,000 construction jobs; (iv) the STAR bond district plan includes a statement of how the jobs and taxes will contribute significantly to the economic development of the State and region; (v) the STAR bond district plan shows visitation expectations in excess of 1,000,000 visitors annually; (vi) the STAR bond district plan includes potential destination users and a potential entertainment user; (vii) the creation of the STAR bond district and STAR bond district plan are in accordance with the purpose of the Act and the public interest; and (viii) the STAR bond district and STAR bond district plan meet any other requirement the Director deems appropriate. Provides that, for the purposes of the Act, "local sales tax increment" includes, with respect to local sales taxes administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, all of the local sales tax paid by, among others, amusement park users. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each individual who (i) serves as a first responder for at least 10 months during the taxable year and (ii) incurs unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $250 per eligible taxpayer. Sets forth limitations on the aggregate amount of credits that may be awarded under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction in an amount equal to the amount received by the taxpayer in gratuities during the taxable year. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: Other State Funds $278,023,500.

Senate Bill 1863 appropriates $90,000,000 to the Department of Transportation. These funds are specifically designated to support various passenger rail services. The bill aims to provide financial resources for the operation or development of rail transport options, directly affecting the state's transportation infrastructure and rail users. This appropriation will become effective on July 1, 2025.