Creates the Illinois Home Grown Business Opportunity Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall develop an economic plan to assist businesses and municipalities located geographically close to bordering states. Provides that the plan shall take into account relevant economic data, including input from local economic development officials, and identify and develop specific strategies for utilizing the assets of those regions of the State located geographically close to bordering states, so that those regions may compete economically with bordering states. Requires the plan to include certain economic assessments, recommendations, and resources relevant to assisting businesses and municipalities located near bordering states. Requires that the information and resources collected and established under the plan shall be available to the public and posted on the Department's Internet website. Defines terms.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. In a provision that allows a manufacturer, distributor, or importing distributor to provide signs to a retailer if certain conditions are met, including a limitation on the dollar value of the signs that may be provided, provides that the cost adjustment factor applied to the limitation on the dollar value of the signs is 5% annually (rather than the change in the consumer price index or 5%, whichever is greater). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act. Removes provisions concerning first purchaser exemption certificates.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In provisions prohibiting a municipality from requiring police officers to issue a specific number of citations within a designated period of time, removes an exclusion for municipalities with their own independent inspector general and law enforcement review authority.
Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the day before (currently, after) Gold Star Mothers' Day as Gold Star Family Day to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor and commemorate the families of men and women who gave their lives while serving with the armed forces of the United States in time of war or during a period of hostilities. Effective immediately.
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a manufacturer of beer that imports beer into this State must obtain a non-resident dealer's license and comply with certain provisions concerning recordkeeping and taxation. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an Illinois licensed distributor from offering credit or a refund for unused, salable alcoholic liquors to a holder of a special event retailer's license or special use permit license or the special event retailer's licensee or special use permit licensee from accepting the credit or refund of alcoholic liquors at the conclusion of the event specified in the license. Makes changes to provisions concerning signage, including raising the limit on the cost of signs that may be provided to a retailer and removing the cost adjustment factor for the limit on the cost of signs that may be provided to a retailer. Provides that all permanent inside signs, except alcohol lists and menus, are the property of the manufacturer, distributor, or the importing distributor and shall be returned to the manufacturer, distributor, or the importing distributor upon request. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Removes a provision requiring taxpayers who have been granted a disabled veterans standard homestead exemption to reapply on an annual basis. Effective January 1, 2018.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Creates the Broadband Advisory Council Article in the Act. Creates the Broadband Advisory Council to explore ways to expand broadband access throughout the State, including unserved and underserved areas. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Development shall provide administrative, personnel, and technical support. Provides for the voting and nonvoting membership of the Council. Provides for the powers and duties of the Council. Provides that the Council shall report to the General Assembly annually concerning actions the Council took during the previous year.
Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act. Provides that the definition of "high-risk missing person" includes a person who is a veteran or active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces who is believed to have a physical or mental health condition that is related to his or her service.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the issuance of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm license plates to any Illinois resident who has earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal from the United States Armed Forces. Effective immediately.