Sen. Elgie Sims

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a qualifying Illinois data center is a place, among other criteria, that within 2 years (currently, 90 days) after being placed in service, certifies that it is carbon neutral or has attained other specified certification. Amends the Brownfields Redevelopment and Intermodal Promotion Act. Extends the use of the South Suburban Brownfields Redevelopment Fund. Amends the New Markets Development Program Act. Modifies provisions concerning certification of qualified equity investments and allocation thereof. Provides further rulemaking requirements. Provides that for fiscal years following fiscal year 2026 (currently, 2021), qualified equity investments under the Act shall not be made unless reauthorization is made. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends a Section of the Illinois Vehicle Code relating to the licensure of manufactured home dealers. Removes the requirement that the dealer sell, trade, or buy no more than 2 manufactured homes per calendar year in order to qualify as a community-based manufactured home dealer.

Declares March 16, 2022 as Alpha Phi Alpha Day in the State of Illinois in honor of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and its continued impact on the communities it serves.

Amends the Electricity Excise Tax Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to provide that the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall process an application for a license within 4 weeks after receiving a complete application that contains no deficiencies.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create the Opportunity Zone Grant Program. Provides that from funds made available to the Department from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund, the Department shall provide grants to municipalities in federally designated qualified opportunity zones with disproportionately high coronavirus infection rate levels. Provides that grants shall be provided for the following purposes: (i) healthcare needs; and (ii) testing and vaccine facilities. Provides for the adoption of rules for the Program.

Appropriates $10,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the General Revenue Fund to the Growing Manufacturing Jobs Fund to be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the purpose of establishing and operating a statewide marketing campaign to increase the number of people entering high-demand manufacturing occupations.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides for the awarding of sole-source contracts under $100,000,000 to certified black or African American businesses. Provides that businesses owned by black or African American persons providing specified services shall also be eligible for the benefits of the mentor protégé program in accordance with the federal All-Small Mentor Protégé Program. Effective immediately.

Creates the Public-Private Partnerships Act. Creates provisions addressing agreements between public and private entities; transparency between parties; oversight of projects; compliance with state and federal law; and fairness for local jurisdictions when negotiating public-private agreements. Adds provisions containing rules for the formation of an public-private partnership agreement; the establishment of the Infrastructure Investment Commission; the process for procuring contracts; the terms of a public-private partnership agreement; the creation of development and operation standards for projects; the taxation of contractors; financial arrangements; the insurance of debt by a responsible public entity; the acquisition of property; law enforcement; confidentiality of proposals; the maximum term of a public-private agreement; reversion of property to the State; powers of a responsible public entity with respect to qualifying projects; and prohibited local action. Makes a corresponding change in the Freedom of Information Act.

Urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency, the St. Clair County Public Health Department, the St. Clair County Public Works Department, and all other local officials to continue to work collaboratively to direct the necessary resources to the community formerly known as Centreville to address this pressing human rights issue in the State of Illinois.