Bill Text: IL SB2640 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the strategic business development plan prepared by the Illinois Business Development Council shall include: (i) an assessment of the economic development practices of states that border Illinois and (ii) recommendations for best practices with respect to economic development, business incentives, business attraction, and business retention for counties in Illinois that border at least one other state. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)

Status: (Passed) 2014-07-16 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0756 [SB2640 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SB2640-Engrossed.html

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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 changing Section 605-300 as follows:
(20 ILCS 605/605-300) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.2)
Sec. 605-300. Economic and business development plans;
Illinois Business Development Council.
(a) Economic development plans. The Department shall
develop a strategic economic development plan for the State by
July 1, 2014. By no later than July 1, 2015, and by July 1
annually thereafter, the Department shall make modifications
to the plan as modifications are warranted by changes in
economic conditions or by other factors, including changes in
policy. In addition to the annual modification, the plan shall
be reviewed and redeveloped in full every 5 years. In the
development of the annual economic development plan, the
Department shall consult with representatives of the private
sector, other State agencies, academic institutions, local
economic development organizations, local governments, and
not-for-profit organizations. The annual economic development
plan shall set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and

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time-sensitive goals and shall include a focus on areas of high
unemployment or poverty.
The term "economic development" shall be construed broadly
by the Department and may include, but is not limited to, job
creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, development of
human capital, workforce productivity, critical
infrastructure, regional competitiveness, social inclusion,
standard of living, environmental sustainability, energy
independence, quality of life, the effective use of financial
incentives, the utilization of public private partnerships
where appropriate, and other metrics determined by the
Department.
The plan shall be based on relevant economic data, focus on
economic development as prescribed by this Section, and
emphasize strategies to retain and create jobs.
The plan shall identify and develop specific strategies for
utilizing the assets of regions within the State defined as
counties and municipalities or other political subdivisions in
close geographical proximity that share common economic traits
such as commuting zones, labor market areas, or other
economically integrated characteristics.
If the plan includes strategies that have a fiscal impact
on the Department or any other agency, the plan shall include a
detailed description of the estimated fiscal impact of such
strategies.
Prior to publishing the plan in its final form, the

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Department shall allow for a reasonable time for public input.
The Department shall transmit copies of the economic
development plan to the Governor and the General Assembly no
later than July 1, 2014, and by July 1 annually thereafter. The
plan and its corresponding modifications shall be published and
made available to the public in both paper and electronic
media, on the Department's website, and by any other method
that the Department deems appropriate.
The Department shall annually submit legislation to
implement the strategic economic development plan or
modifications to the strategic economic development plan to the
Governor, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, and
the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives. The legislation shall be in the form of one or
more substantive bills drafted by the Legislative Reference
Bureau.
(b) Business development plans; Illinois Business
Development Council.
(1) There is created the Illinois Business Development
Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council. The
Council shall consist of the Director, who shall serve as
co-chairperson, and 12 voting members who shall be
appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of
the Senate.
(A) The voting members of the Council shall include
one representative from each of the following

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businesses and groups: small business, coal,
healthcare, large manufacturing, small or specialized
manufacturing, agriculture, high technology or applied
science, local economic development entities, private
sector organized labor, a local or state business
association or chamber of commerce.
(B) There shall be 2 at-large voting members who
reside within areas of high unemployment within
counties or municipalities that have had an annual
average unemployment rate of at least 120% of the
State's annual average unemployment rate as reported
by the Department of Employment Security for the 5
years preceding the date of appointment.
(2) All appointments shall be made in a geographically
diverse manner.
(3) For the initial appointments to the Council, 6
voting members shall be appointed to serve a 2-year term
and 6 voting members shall be appointed to serve a 4-year
term. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for terms of 4
years. The initial term of voting members shall commence on
the first Wednesday in February 2014. Thereafter, the terms
of voting members shall commence on the first Wednesday in
February, except in the case of an appointment to fill a
vacancy. Vacancies occurring among the members shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment for
the remainder of the unexpired term. For a vacancy

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occurring when the Senate is not in session, the Governor
may make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of
the Senate when a person shall be nominated to fill the
office, and, upon confirmation by the Senate, he or she
shall hold office during the remainder of the term. A
vacancy in membership does not impair the ability of a
quorum to exercise all rights and perform all duties of the
Council. A member is eligible for reappointment.
(4) Members shall serve without compensation, but may
be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties from funds appropriated for
that purpose.
(5) In addition, the following shall serve as ex
officio, non-voting members of the Council in order to
provide specialized advice and support to the Council: the
Secretary of Transportation, or his or her designee; the
Director of Employment Security, or his or her designee;
the Executive Director of the Illinois Finance Authority,
or his or her designee; the Director of Agriculture, or his
or her designee; the Director of Revenue, or his or her
designee; the Director of Labor, or his or her designee;
and the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, or
his or her designee. Ex officio Ex-officio members shall
provide staff and technical assistance to the Council when
appropriate.
(6) In addition to the Director, the voting members

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shall elect a co-chairperson.
(7) The Council shall meet at least twice annually and
at such other times as the co-chairpersons or any 5 voting
members consider necessary. Seven voting members shall
constitute a quorum of the Council.
(8) The Department shall provide staff assistance to
the Council.
(9) The Council shall provide the Department relevant
information in a timely manner pursuant to its duties as
enumerated in this Section that can be used by the
Department to enhance the State's strategic economic
development plan.
(10) The Council shall:
(A) Develop an overall strategic business
development plan for the State of Illinois and update
the plan at least annually; that plan shall include,
without limitation, (i) an assessment of the economic
development practices of states that border Illinois
and (ii) recommendations for best practices with
respect to economic development, business incentives,
business attraction, and business retention for
counties in Illinois that border at least one other
state.
(B) Develop business marketing plans for the State
of Illinois to effectively solicit new company
investment and existing business expansion. Insofar as

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allowed under the Illinois Procurement Code, and
subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly
for such purposes, the Council may assist the
Department in the procurement of outside vendors to
carry out such marketing plans.
(C) Seek input from local economic development
officials to develop specific strategies to
effectively link State and local business development
and marketing efforts focusing on areas of high
unemployment or poverty.
(D) Provide the Department with advice on
strategic business development and business marketing
for the State of Illinois.
(E) Provide the Department research and recommend
best practices for developing investment tools for
business attraction and retention.
(Source: P.A. 98-397, eff. 8-16-13; revised 10-8-13.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.