Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB2345

Creates the Illinois Housing Initiative Act of 2003. Requires that a task force, composed of all key State agencies with functions related to housing and other experts in housing, develop an annual comprehensive housing plan that prioritizes the development of a range of permanent housing for certain underserved populations, including low-income and homeless persons. Creates the Illinois Housing Initiative, to be in effect through December 31, 2008, to coordinate and streamline the allocation of available housing resources to make it possible to prioritize the development of housing for underserved populations in accordance with the annual comprehensive housing plan. Provides for funding for housing construction and rehabilitation and supportive services. Requires every municipality to create a local housing development plan.

Provides that provisions concerning State-municipal partnerships do not apply to a municipality under 5,000, but that a county under 25,000 may develop a housing development plan for unincorporated areas and municipalities under 5,000 and thereby become eligible for tax and other preferences.

Deletes provisions for State-municipal housing partnerships. Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority may develop and implement a program of financial assistance for new teachers (employed by school districts that are financially needy or experiencing a shortage of teachers) purchasing a first home. Makes these provisions effective July 1, 2003.

Changes the composition of the task force charged with developing the annual comprehensive housing plan; names the State agencies to be represented, and adds the Lieutenant Governor and the State Treasurer, legislative appointments, and 12 housing experts appointed by the Governor. Requires the task force to recommend (instead of identify) State actions that promote the construction of affordable housing, and requires a report annually (instead of at 6-month intervals). With respect to a request for proposals or qualifications in connection with the Illinois Housing Initiative, provides for recommendations for funding decisions (instead of funding decisions themselves) by a subcommittee of the task force, or as designated by the Governor (instead of by a committee of qualified staff from certain agencies). Changes references to "priority" populations to "underserved" populations. Deletes references to the closing of vacant long-term nursing facility beds in connection with the funding pool for supportive services. Makes other changes.

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