(35 ILCS 45/110-30)

Sec. 110-30. Tax credit awards.

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in this Act, a taxpayer is entitled to a credit against the tax imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act for a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2025 if the taxpayer is awarded a credit by the Department in accordance with an agreement under this Act. The Department has authority to award credits under this Act on and after January 1, 2023.

(b) A taxpayer may receive a tax credit against the tax imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, not to exceed the sum of (i) 75% of the incremental income tax attributable to new employees at the applicant's project and (ii) 10% of the training costs of the new employees. If the project is located in an underserved area or an energy transition area, then the amount of the credit may not exceed the sum of (i) 100% of the incremental income tax attributable to new employees at the applicant's project; and (ii) 10% of the training costs of the new employees. The percentage of training costs includable in the calculation may be increased by an additional 15% for training costs associated with new employees that are recent (2 years or less) graduates, certificate holders, or credential recipients from an institution of higher education in Illinois, or, if the training is provided by an institution of higher education in Illinois, the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, or an apprenticeship and training program located in Illinois and approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. An applicant is also eligible for a training credit that shall not exceed 10% of the training costs of retained employees for the purpose of upskilling to meet the operational needs of the applicant or the project. The percentage of training costs includable in the calculation shall not exceed a total of 25%. If an applicant agrees to hire the required number of new employees, then the maximum amount of the credit for that applicant may be increased by an amount not to exceed 75% of the incremental income tax attributable to retained employees at the applicant's project; provided that, in order to receive the increase for retained employees, the applicant must, if applicable, meet or exceed the statewide baseline. If the Project is in an underserved area or an energy transition area, the maximum amount of the credit attributable to retained employees for the applicant may be increased to an amount not to exceed 100% of the incremental income tax attributable to retained employees at the applicant's project; provided that, in order to receive the increase for retained employees, the applicant must meet or exceed the statewide baseline. Credits awarded may include credit earned for incremental income tax withheld and training costs incurred by the taxpayer beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Credits so earned and certified by the Department may be applied against the tax imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

(c) MICRO Construction Jobs Credit. For construction wages associated with a project that qualified for a credit under subsection (b), the taxpayer may receive a tax credit against the tax imposed under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act in an amount equal to 50% of the incremental income tax attributable to construction wages paid in connection with construction of the project facilities, as a jobs credit for workers hired to construct the project.

The MICRO Construction Jobs Credit may not exceed 75% of the amount of the incremental income tax attributable to construction wages paid in connection with construction of the project facilities if the project is in an underserved area or an energy transition area.

(d) The Department shall certify to the Department of Revenue: (1) the identity of taxpayers that are eligible for the MICRO Credit and MICRO Construction Jobs Credit; (2) the amount of the MICRO Credits and MICRO Construction Jobs Credits awarded in each calendar year; and (3) the amount of the MICRO Credit and MICRO Construction Jobs Credit claimed in each calendar year. MICRO Credits awarded may include credit earned for incremental income tax withheld and training costs incurred by the taxpayer beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Credits so earned and certified by the Department may be applied against the tax imposed by Section 201(a) and (b) of the Illinois Income Tax Act for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

(e) Applicants seeking certification for a tax credits related to the construction of the project facilities in the State shall require the contractor to enter into a project labor agreement that conforms with the Project Labor Agreements Act.

(f) Any applicant issued a certificate for a tax credit or tax exemption under this Act must annually report to the Department the total project tax benefits received. Reports are due no later than May 31 of each year and shall cover the previous calendar year. The first report is for the 2023 calendar year and is due no later than May 31, 2023. For applicants issued a certificate of exemption under Section 110-105 of this Act, the report shall be the same as required for a High Impact Business under subsection (a-5) of Section 8.1 of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Each person required to file a return under the Gas Revenue Tax Act, the Electricity Excise Tax Act, or the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act shall file a report on customers issued an exemption certificate under Section 110-95 of this Act in the same manner and form as they are required to report under subsection (b) of Section 8.1 of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act.

(g) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an award of credit to an applicant that uses a PEO if all other award criteria are satisfied.

(h) With respect to any portion of a credit that is based on the incremental income tax attributable to new employees or retained employees, in lieu of the credit allowed under this Act against the taxes imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, a taxpayer that otherwise meets the criteria set forth in this Section, the taxpayer may elect to claim the credit, on or after January 1, 2025, against its obligation to pay over withholding under Section 704A of the Illinois Income Tax Act. The election shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue and once made shall be irrevocable.

(Source: P.A. 102-700, eff. 4-19-22; 102-1125, eff. 2-3-23.)