(50 ILCS 470/20)

Sec. 20. Approval of STAR bond projects. The governing body of a political subdivision may establish one or more STAR bond projects in any STAR bond district. A STAR bond project which is partially outside the boundaries of a municipality must also be approved by the governing body of the county by resolution.

(a) After the establishment of a STAR bond district, the master developer may propose one or more STAR bond projects to a political subdivision and the master developer shall, in cooperation with the political subdivision, prepare a STAR bond project plan in consultation with the planning commission of the political subdivision, if any. The STAR bond project plan may be implemented in separate development stages.

(b) Any political subdivision considering a STAR bond project within a STAR bond district shall notify the Department, which shall cause to be prepared an independent feasibility study by a feasibility consultant with certified copies provided to the political subdivision, the Director, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The feasibility study shall include the following:

(1) the estimated amount of pledged STAR revenues expected to be collected in each year through the maturity date of the proposed STAR bonds;

(2) a statement of how the jobs and taxes obtained from the STAR bond project will contribute significantly to the economic development of the State and region;

(3) visitation expectations;

(4) the unique quality of the project;

(5) an economic impact study;

(6) a market study;

(7) integration and collaboration with other resources or businesses;

(8) the quality of service and experience provided, as measured against national consumer standards for the specific target market;

(9) project accountability, measured according to best industry practices;

(10) the expected return on State and local investment that the STAR bond project is anticipated to produce; and

(11) an anticipated principal and interest payment schedule on the STAR bonds.

The feasibility consultant, along with the independent economist and any other consultants commissioned to perform the studies and other analysis required by the feasibility study, shall be selected by the Director with the approval of the political subdivision. The consultants shall be retained by the Director and the Department shall be reimbursed by the master developer for the costs to retain the consultants.

The failure to include all information enumerated in this subsection in the feasibility study for a STAR bond project shall not affect the validity of STAR bonds issued pursuant to this Act.

(c) If the political subdivision determines the STAR bond project is feasible, the STAR bond project plan shall include:

(1) a summary of the feasibility study;

(2) a reference to the STAR bond district plan that identifies the STAR bond project area that is set forth in the STAR bond project plan that is being considered;

(3) a legal description and map of the STAR bond project area to be developed or redeveloped;

(4) a description of the buildings and facilities proposed to be constructed or improved in such STAR bond project area, including destination users and an entertainment user, as applicable;

(5) a copy of letters of intent to locate within the STAR bond district signed by both the master developer and the appropriate corporate officer of at least one destination user for the first STAR bond project proposed within the district; and

(6) any other information the governing body of the political subdivision deems reasonable and necessary to advise the public of the intent of the STAR bond project plan.

(d) Before a political subdivision may hold a public hearing to consider a STAR bond project plan, the political subdivision must apply to the Department for approval of the STAR bond project plan. An application for approval of a STAR bond project plan must not be approved unless all of the components of the feasibility study set forth in items (1) through (11) of subsection (b) have been completed and submitted to the Department for review. In addition to reviewing all of the other elements of the STAR bond project plan required under subsection (c), which must be included in the application (which plan must include a letter or letters of intent as required under subdivision (c)(5) in order to receive Director approval), the Director must review the feasibility study and consider all of the components of the feasibility study set forth in items (1) through (11) of subsection (b) of Section 20, including without limitation the economic impact study and the financial benefit of the proposed STAR bond project to the local, regional, and State economies, the proposed adverse impacts on similar businesses and projects as well as municipalities within the market area, and the net effect of the proposed STAR bond project on the local, regional, and State economies. In addition to the economic impact study, the political subdivision must also submit to the Department, as part of its application, the financial and other information that substantiates the basis for the conclusion of the economic impact study, in the form and manner as required by the Department, so that the Department can verify the results of the study. In addition to any other criteria in this subsection, to approve the STAR bond project plan, the Director must be satisfied that the proposed destination user is in fact a true destination user and also find that the STAR bond project plan is in accordance with the purpose of this Act and the public interest. The Director shall either approve or deny the STAR bond project plan based on the criteria in this subsection. In granting its approval, the Department may require the political subdivision to execute a binding agreement or memorandum of understanding with the State. The terms of the agreement or memorandum may include, among other things, the political subdivision's repayment of the State sales tax increment distributed to it should any violation of the agreement or memorandum or this Act occur.

(e) Upon a finding by the planning and zoning commission of the political subdivision that the STAR bond project plan is consistent with the intent of the comprehensive plan for the development of the political subdivision and upon issuance of written approval of the STAR bond project plan from the Director pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 20, the governing body of the political subdivision shall adopt a resolution stating that the political subdivision is considering the adoption of the STAR bond project plan. The resolution shall:

(1) give notice that a public hearing will be held to consider the adoption of the STAR bond project plan and fix the date, hour, and place of the public hearing;

(2) describe the general boundaries of the STAR bond district within which the STAR bond project will be located and the date of establishment of the STAR bond district;

(3) describe the general boundaries of the area proposed to be included within the STAR bond project area;

(4) provide that the STAR bond project plan and map of the area to be redeveloped or developed are available for inspection during regular office hours in the offices of the political subdivision; and

(5) contain a summary of the terms and conditions of any proposed project development agreement with the political subdivision.

(f) A public hearing shall be conducted to consider the adoption of any STAR bond project plan.

(1) The date fixed for the public hearing to consider the adoption of the STAR bond project plan shall be not less than 20 nor more than 90 days following the date of the adoption of the resolution fixing the date of the hearing.

(2) A copy of the political subdivision's resolution providing for the public hearing shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the governing body of the county. A copy of the political subdivision's resolution providing for the public hearing shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to each person or persons in whose name the general taxes for the last preceding year were paid on each parcel of land lying within the proposed STAR bond project area within 10 days following the date of the adoption of the resolution. The resolution shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision not less than one week nor more than 3 weeks preceding the date fixed for the public hearing. A map or aerial photo clearly delineating the area of land proposed to be included within the STAR bond project area shall be published with the resolution.

(3) The hearing shall be held at a location that is within 20 miles of the STAR bond district, in a facility that can accommodate a large crowd, and in a facility that is accessible to persons with disabilities.

(4) At the public hearing, a representative of the political subdivision or master developer shall present the STAR bond project plan. Following the presentation of the STAR bond project plan, all interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard. The governing body may continue the date and time of the public hearing.

(g) Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the governing body of the political subdivision may adopt the STAR bond project plan by a resolution approving the STAR bond project plan.

(h) After the adoption by the corporate authorities of the political subdivision of a STAR bond project plan, the political subdivision may enter into a project development agreement if the master developer has requested the political subdivision to be a party to the project development agreement pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 25.

(i) Within 30 days after the adoption by the political subdivision of a STAR bond project plan, the clerk of the political subdivision shall transmit a copy of the legal description of the land and a list of all new and existing mailing addresses within the STAR bond district, a copy of the resolution adopting the STAR bond project plan, and a map or plat indicating the boundaries of the STAR bond project area to the clerk, treasurer, and governing body of the county and to the Department of Revenue. Within 30 days of creation of any new mailing addresses within a STAR bond district, the clerk of the political subdivision shall provide written notice of such new addresses to the Department of Revenue.

If a certified copy of the resolution adopting the STAR bond project plan is filed with the Department on or before the first day of April, the Department, if all other requirements of this subsection are met, shall proceed to collect and allocate any local sales tax increment and any State sales tax increment in accordance with the provisions of this Act as of the first day of July next following the adoption and filing. If a certified copy of the resolution adopting the STAR bond project plan is filed with the Department after April 1 but on or before the first day of October, the Department, if all other requirements of this subsection are met, shall proceed to collect and allocate any local sales tax increment and any State sales tax increment in accordance with the provisions of this Act as of the first day of January next following the adoption and filing.

Any substantial changes to a STAR bond project plan as adopted shall be subject to a public hearing following publication of notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision and approval by resolution of the governing body of the political subdivision.

The Department of Revenue shall not collect or allocate any local sales tax increment or State sales tax increment until the political subdivision also provides, in the manner prescribed by the Department, the boundaries of the STAR bond project area and each address in the STAR bond project area in such a way that the Department can determine by its address whether a business is located in the STAR bond project area. The political subdivision must provide this boundary and address information to the Department on or before April 1 for administration and enforcement under this Act by the Department beginning on the following July 1 and on or before October 1 for administration and enforcement under this Act by the Department beginning on the following January 1. The Department of Revenue shall not administer or enforce any change made to the boundaries of a STAR bond project or any address change, addition, or deletion until the political subdivision reports the boundary change or address change, addition, or deletion to the Department in the manner prescribed by the Department. The political subdivision must provide this boundary change or address change, addition, or deletion information to the Department on or before April 1 for administration and enforcement by the Department of the change, addition, or deletion beginning on the following July 1 and on or before October 1 for administration and enforcement by the Department of the change, addition, or deletion beginning on the following January 1. If a retailer is incorrectly included or excluded from the list of those located in the STAR bond project, the Department of Revenue shall be held harmless if it reasonably relied on information provided by the political subdivision.

(j) Any STAR bond project must be approved by the political subdivision prior to that date which is 23 years from the date of the approval of the STAR bond district, provided however that any amendments to such STAR bond project may occur following such date.

(k) Any developer of a STAR bond project shall commence work on the STAR bond project within 3 years from the date of adoption of the STAR bond project plan. If the developer fails to commence work on the STAR bond project within the 3-year period, funding for the project shall cease and the developer of the project or complex shall have one year to appeal to the political subdivision for reapproval of the project and funding. If the project is reapproved, the 3-year period for commencement shall begin again on the date of the reapproval.

(l) After the adoption by the corporate authorities of the political subdivision of a STAR bond project plan and approval of the Director pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 20, the political subdivision may authorize the issuance of the STAR bonds in one or more series to finance the STAR bond project in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(m) The maximum maturity of STAR bonds issued to finance a STAR bond project shall not exceed 23 years from the first date of distribution of State sales tax revenues from such STAR bond project to the political subdivision unless the political subdivision extends such maturity by resolution up to a maximum of 35 years from such first distribution date. Any such extension shall require the approval of the Director. In no event shall the maximum maturity date for any STAR bonds exceed that date which is 35 years from the first distribution date of the first STAR bonds issued in a STAR bond district.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)