HB0617 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 10675 RJF 16004 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0617

Introduced 2/8/2021, by Rep. Thaddeus Jones

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall design and implement the New Remote Worker Grant Program. Provides for the awarding of grants under the Program. Specifies the amounts that may be awarded under the Program. Provides for the adoption of rules. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-1055 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new)

Sec. 605-1055. New Remote Worker Grant Program.

(a) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall design and implement the New Remote Worker Grant Program, which shall include a certification process to certify new remote workers and certify qualifying expenses for a grant under this Section.

(b) A new remote worker may be eligible for a grant under the Program for qualifying remote worker expenses in the amount of not more than $5,000 per year, and not to exceed a total of $10,000 per individual new remote worker over the life of the Program.

(c) The Department shall award grants under the Program on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to appropriation, as follows: (i) not more than $125,000 in calendar year 2021; (ii) not more than $250,000 in calendar year 2022; (iii) not more than $125,000 in calendar year 2023; and (iv) not more than $100,000 per year in each subsequent calendar year, to the extent funding remains available.

(d) The Department shall adopt rules necessary to implement the Program created under this Section.

(e) For the purposes of this Section:

"New remote worker" means an individual who: (i) is a full-time employee of a business with its domicile or primary place of business outside Illinois; (ii) becomes a full-time resident of this State on or after January 1, 2021; and (iii) performs the majority of his or her employment duties remotely from a home office or a co-working space located in this State.

"Qualifying remote worker expenses" means actual costs a new remote worker incurs for one or more of the following that are necessary to perform his or her employment duties including: (i) relocation to this State; (ii) computer software and hardware; (iii) broadband access or upgrade; and (iv) membership in a co-working or similar space.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.