SB 2290

Abstract

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 is authorized to establish the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program for the purpose of fostering research and development in key industry clusters leading to the creation of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. Provides that the Department may award innovation vouchers to eligible businesses to offset a portion of expenses incurred through a collaborative research engagement with an Illinois institution of higher education. Provides for the award of matching funds in the form of innovation vouchers. Provides eligibility requirements for receiving innovation vouchers. Provides requirements for administering the Program. Provides for the adoption of rules. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Allows the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered by a governmental entity with expertise in innovation, technology, economic development, research and development, and public private partnerships. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, subject to appropriation, shall be authorized to provide to the entity administering the Program an administrative fee in an amount not to exceed 10% (rather than 15%) of the total value of vouchers estimated by the Department to be issued in each fiscal year. Makes the awarding of innovation vouchers subject to appropriation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: New Act 30 ILCS 105/5.935 new Creates the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act. Provides for the creation of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Program for the purpose of expanding availability of broadband Internet connectivity throughout the State. Provides for the creation of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund for the purpose of providing financial assistance under the Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services may determine qualifications for broadband Internet provider participation and enter into an agreement with each provider. Provides eligibility requirements for financial assistance. Provides that the Department may provide financial assistance to the individual or to the broadband Internet provider designated by the individual in the form of one or more vouchers to pay for specified expenses. Provides that a provider that receives a voucher from an individual household who subscribes to the provider's broadband Internet service shall deduct the amount of the voucher from the amount owed by the subscriber for the provider's provision of broadband Internet service to the individual household on a monthly basis. Removes provision allowing the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered by an entity other than the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Makes a conforming changes. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund is established as a special fund within the State treasury for the purpose of providing financial assistance. Provides that if the Department of Human Services determines that an individual is eligible for financial assistance, the Department may provide financial assistance to the individual or to the broadband Internet provider designated by the individual in the form of one or more vouchers, each in an amount up to (rather than in the amount of) $50, that can be used by the individual to pay one or more specified expenses.