Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB4600

Creates the Intercity Development Act. Provides that economically distressed communities may, by appointing a Board of Economic Advisors, receive assistance under the Act. Provides that the Board shall create a revitalization plan for the community. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, subject to appropriation, make grants to those communities for the operational expenses of the Board. Provides that Boards shall seek funding sources to enhance economic development. Amends the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act. Increases certain prize limits. Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 and the Riverboat Gambling Act to authorize the conduct of gambling using slot machines at race tracks. Further amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 to delete the recapture provisions and to repeal provisions concerning the pari-mutuel tax credit and the Horse Racing Equity Fund. Imposes an admission tax of $1 for each person who enters the grounds of an organization license. Makes changes concerning the distribution of breakage. Provides that, subject to the availability of horses, certain races that are limited to Illinois conceived and foaled or Illinois foaled horses or both shall be limited to Illinois conceived and foaled or Illinois foaled maidens. Authorizes 2 or more former or existing organization licensees to consolidate into a single consolidated organization. Further amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Changes the admission tax, which is currently a graduated tax ranging from $3 to $5 per person, based on the number of persons admitted each year to $2 for the first 1,500,000 persons admitted by a licensee per year and $3 for all persons admitted in excess of 1,500,000 per year. Reduces the wagering tax. Authorizes an owners licensee to operate up to 2,000 gaming positions (rather than limit the number of gambling participants to 1,200). Provides that a licensee that may bid for unused positions and operate those positions in addition to the positions originally authorized by its license. Authorizes an owners license to relocate a portion of its slot machines to its home dock facility. Requires owners licensees to pay an aggregate amount of $130,000,000 to the Gaming Board by July 1, 2004 for deposit into the State Gaming Fund. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 to provide that certain provisions that apply to riverboat gambling also apply to slot machine gambling at race tracks. Amends Public Act 91-40 to replace that Act's inseverability clause with a severability clause. Preempts home rule concerning the regulation of electronic gaming. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Intercity Development Fund. Effective immediately.

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