HB2836 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 14228 HLH 19580 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB2836

Introduced 2/19/2021, by Rep. Tim Butler

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-418 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Division on Downstate Economic Development within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides legislative findings and a statement of purpose. Provides that the Division shall plan and coordinate existing State programs designed to aid and stimulate the economic development in downstate communities in specified regions. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Division. Provides that the Division shall be overseen by the Assistant Director. Provides rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2022.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning economic development.

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 605-418 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-418 new)

Sec. 605-418. Division on Downstate Economic Development.

(a) The General Assembly finds that Illinois is a diverse and vast state made up of different geographic areas and unique economic environments, there is a need to ensure that the Department is prepared to face each unique challenges with unique solutions. It is the purpose of this Section to recognize that the needs and priorities of the regions outside the State's largest urban, metropolitan area are significant and, indeed, vital to the State's overall success when looking at the economic success of Illinois. Therefore, there is established within the Department a Division on Downstate Economic Development.

(b) The Department shall provide for, staff, and administer a Division on Downstate Economic Development, which shall plan and coordinate existing State programs designed to aid and stimulate the economic development in downstate communities that include the following economic development regions:

Northern Stateline Region;

Northwest Region;

West Central Region;

North Central Region;

East Central Region;

Central Region;

Southwest Region;

Southeast Region; and

Southern Region.

(c) To fulfill the purposes set forth in subsection (a), the Department shall assign appropriate duties to the Division, including, but not limited to:

(1) Reviewing all current Department programs, offerings, and forms of assistance that exist and are available to downstate communities.

(2) Identifying Department functions and operations that need to be housed under the Division on Downstate Economic Development.

(3) Recommending any necessary improvements to the manner by which the Department administers existing Department programs, offerings, and forms of assistance to downstate communities.

(4) Facilitating and streamlining the functions of the Department in order to improve the Department's interaction with downstate communities.

(5) Gathering information concerning any State or Federal program that is designed to revitalize or assist downstate communities in the State and providing this information to public and private entities upon request.

(6) Promoting and assisting the development, redevelopment, and revitalization of downstate communities.

(7) Promoting the maintaining of jobs and seeking the creation of new job opportunities in downstate communities.

(8) Recommending to the General Assembly and the Governor economic policies that may improve the economic climate in downstate communities.

(9) Making rules necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this Law.

(10) Encouraging new industrial enterprises to locate in downstate communities through (i) educational promotions that point out the opportunities of downstate communities as commercial and industrial fields of opportunity and (ii) solicitation of industrial enterprises; and to do take any actions deemed necessary and proper in order to meet the duties of the Division. The Division, however, shall have no power to require reports from or to regulate any business.

(11) Accepting grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal government or the State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, to be used for the operating expenses of the Division or for any purposes of the Division.

(d) If the Department identifies that an existing Office, Division, or Program (under the Department's jurisdiction) performs, plans, or coordinates a function or duty of the Division created under this Section that is hereby established, the Department may take any necessary actions to not, to the best of its ability, duplicate or otherwise overlap Department operations. The Department shall take the necessary actions prior to establishing the Division to utilize existing Department funds and resources to implement this Section.

(e) The Assistant Director shall oversee the implementation and administration of all functions and duties performed by the Division under this Section.

(f) The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.