103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3219

 

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 605/605-419 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 immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning economic development.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic
5Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois
6is amended by adding Section 605-419 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 605/605-419 new)
8    Sec. 605-419. Division on Downstate Economic Development.
9    (a) The General Assembly finds that the State is a diverse
10and vast state made up of different geographic areas and
11unique economic environments, and there is a need to ensure
12that the Department is prepared to face each unique challenge
13with a unique solution. It is the purpose of this Section to
14recognize that the needs and priorities of the regions outside
15the State's largest urban, metropolitan area are significant
16and, indeed, vital to the State's overall success when looking
17at the economic success of the State. Therefore, there is
18established within the Department a Division on Downstate
19Economic Development.
20    (b) The Department shall provide for, staff, and
21administer a Division on Downstate Economic Development, which
22shall plan and coordinate existing State programs designed to
23aid and stimulate the economic development in downstate

 

 

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1communities that include the following economic development
2regions:
3        Northern Stateline Region;
4        Northwest Region;
5        West Central Region;
6        North Central Region;
7        East Central Region;
8        Central Region;
9        Southwest Region;
10        Southeast Region; and
11        Southern Region.
12    (c) To fulfill the purposes set forth in subsection (a),
13the Department shall assign appropriate duties to the
14Division, including, but not limited to:
15            (1) Reviewing all current Department programs,
16        offerings, and forms of assistance that exist and are
17        available to downstate communities.
18            (2) Identifying Department functions and
19        operations that need to be housed under the Division
20        on Downstate Economic Development.
21            (3) Recommending any necessary improvements to the
22        manner by which the Department administers existing
23        Department programs, offerings, and forms of
24        assistance to downstate communities.
25            (4) Facilitating and streamlining the functions of
26        the Department in order to improve the Department's

 

 

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1        interaction with downstate communities.
2            (5) Gathering information concerning any State or
3        Federal program that is designed to revitalize or
4        assist downstate communities in the State and
5        providing this information to public and private
6        entities upon request.
7            (6) Promoting and assisting the development,
8        redevelopment, and revitalization of downstate
9        communities.
10            (7) Promoting the maintenance of jobs and seeking
11        the creation of new job opportunities in downstate
12        communities.
13            (8) Recommending to the General Assembly and the
14        Governor economic policies that may improve the
15        economic climate in downstate communities.
16            (9) Making rules necessary to carry out its
17        responsibilities under this Law.
18            (10) Encouraging new industrial enterprises to
19        locate in downstate communities through (i)
20        educational promotions that point out the
21        opportunities of downstate communities as commercial
22        and industrial fields of opportunity, (ii)
23        solicitation of industrial enterprises, and (iii) to
24        take any actions deemed necessary and proper in order
25        to meet the duties of the Division. The Division,
26        however, shall have no power to require reports from

 

 

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1        or to regulate any business.
2            (11) Accepting grants, loans, or appropriations
3        from the federal government or the State, or any
4        agency or instrumentality thereof, to be used for the
5        operating expenses of the Division or for any purposes
6        of the Division.
7    (d) If the Department identifies that an existing Office,
8Division, or Program (under the Department's jurisdiction)
9performs, plans, or coordinates a function or duty of the
10Division created under this Section that is hereby
11established, the Department may take any necessary actions to
12prevent, to the best of its ability, the duplication of
13existing Department operations. The Department shall take the
14necessary actions prior to establishing the Division to use
15existing Department funds and resources to implement this
16Section.
17    (e) The Assistant Director shall oversee the
18implementation and administration of all functions and duties
19performed by the Division under this Section.
20    (f) The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to
21implement the provisions of this Section.
 
22    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
23becoming law.