Sen. Doris Turner

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, subject to the provisions of the Public Contract Fraud Act, the Illinois Commerce Commission is authorized during fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to acquire real property located in Springfield, as necessary to carry out the duties vested in the Commission. Provides that real property may be acquired subject to any third-party interests in the property that do not prevent the Commission from beneficially using the property. Provides that the Executive Director of the Commission may enter into contracts relating to construction, reconstruction, or renovation projects for any buildings or lands acquired by the Commission, and contracts to equip, lease, repair, operate, and maintain real property as appropriate to carry out the duties of the Executive Director. Provides that the Executive Director, on behalf of the Commission, may enter into agreements for the purpose of exercising the Commission's authority. Provides that the exercise of the authority vested in the Commission to acquire property under the provision is subject to appropriation. Effective immediately.

Creates the Nitrogen Reduction Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Agriculture shall, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and soil and water conservation districts in the State, develop a nitrogen reduction incentive program by January 1, 2027 for the purpose of addressing water quality issues. Provides that the program will include a per-acre payment rate of not less than $5 per acre. Provides that crop management records collected from farmers shall be considered confidential. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, in consultation with the Sangamon County Board and the City of Springfield, to conduct a study on the lending practices and borrower outcomes within Sangamon County and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Provides that the study shall encompass all financial institutions and lending entities licensed or regulated by the Department that operate within Sangamon County or are municipally authorized by the City of Springfield. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the specified entities, to conduct a countywide transit equity analysis study and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority, in consultation with the Sangamon County Board and the City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, to conduct a countywide housing and community revitalization study and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Establishes reporting requirements related to each study under each of the relevant Acts. Sets a repeal date of December 31, 2029 for the provisions concerning each study under each of those Acts.

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 Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, on July 1, 2026, and each July 1 thereafter, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the sum of $5,000,000 from the Underground Storage Tank Fund to the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund. Provides that, among other things, moneys in the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund may be used for the issuance of grants or providing additional subsidization. Removes provisions limiting the size of grants to municipalities issued under the Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Grant Program.

Creates the Small Business Asset Purchase Account Act. Provides that a small business in the State may open a small business asset purchase account at an eligible financial institution. Provides that funds from a small business asset purchase account may be used only for specified eligible costs. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction in an amount equal to 50% of the amount contributed during the taxable year to a small business asset purchase account. Creates a deduction of 100% of the interest earned on the account that is not included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Amends the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act to provide for penalties for amounts withdrawn that are not used for eligible costs.

Maddy summarySB 3710 permanently extends Illinois' research and development (R&D) tax credit under the Illinois Income Tax Act. This change makes the credit available indefinitely for eligible businesses, rather than as a temporary provision. The bill directly affects companies conducting qualifying R&D activities within Illinois that claim this tax credit. It amends Section 201 of the tax code to remove any expiration date, effective immediately upon enactment. The credit allows businesses to reduce their state tax liability based on qualified R&D expenditures.

Creates the Capital Area Tourism Authority Act. Establishes the Capital Area Tourism Authority as a political subdivision and unit of local government for the benefit of the general public and for the promotion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism in the City of Springfield, Sangamon County, and the State of Illinois. Provides that, if and only if the Sangamon County Board, by ordinance, imposes a tax under a specified provision of the Counties Code on all hotel operators who engage in business as a hotel operator within a STAR bond district that is established in the territory of the Authority and if the Sangamon County Board also resolves that all of the revenue generated from that tax, as well as all of the tax receipts generated from local sales tax within such a STAR bond district, shall be dedicated to the payment of the project costs for any STAR bond project in such a district and shall be considered pledged STAR revenues under the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy Act, then the Authority may exercise certain economic development powers. Contains provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Authority; the membership of the Board of the Authority; meetings and records of the Board of the Authority; the use of pledged tax revenue; ownership and control of projects financed by the Authority; the investigatory authority of the Board of the Authority; and other matters. Contains legislative findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Creates the Capital City Redevelopment Zone Act. Sets forth qualifications for an area to be designated as a Capital City Redevelopment Zone. Provides procedures and requirements for the initiation of a Capital City Redevelopment Zone by a municipality. Requires a municipality that has adopted an ordinance designating an area as a Capital City Redevelopment Zone to apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for certification of the zone. Sets forth requirements for certification. Provides for procedures and requirements for the review of Capital City Redevelopment Zone applications and the certification, amendment, and decertification of a Capital City Redevelopment Zone. Provides for adoption of tax increment financing. Describes the powers and duties of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides requirements for administration of a Capital City Redevelopment Zone. Provides requirements for notice of cessation of business operations for businesses within a Capital City Redevelopment Zone. Provides for an income tax deduction. Sets forth accounting requirements regarding tax exemptions and other benefits under the Act. Provides for a capital city construction jobs income tax credit. Specifies the requirements that apply to taxpayers seeking capital city construction job tax credits. Creates the Capital City Development Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides for grants to eligible developers. Makes findings. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes. Adds references to the Capital City Redevelopment Zone Act in the Corporate Accountability for Tax Expenditures Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Property Tax Code, and the Environmental Protection Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program in the Department of Agriculture to provide crop insurance premium discounts for cover crops. Directs the Department to award grants in specified amounts to Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Creates the Cover Crop Insurance Premium Discount Fund. Provides for requirements for the Program. Directs the Department to adopt rules.