HB4959 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 36303 SPS 66401 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4959

Introduced 2/7/2024, by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-1115 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Creative Economy Task Force within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create a strategic plan to improve the creative economy in the State. Provides that, within 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the task force shall collect and analyze data on the current state of the creative economy in the State and develop a strategic plan to improve the State's creative economy that can be rolled out in incremental phases to reach identified economic, social justice, and business development goals. Provides that the goal of the strategic plan shall be to ensure that the State is competitive with respect to attracting creative economy business, retaining talent within the State, and developing marketable content that can be exported for national and international consumption and monetization. Specifies requirements of the strategic plan. Provides that the task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2027. Sets forth provisions concerning task force membership; compensation; and administrative support. Repeals the provision on July 1, 2028.

A BILL FOR

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 adding Section 605-1115 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1115 new)

Sec. 605-1115. Creative Economy Task Force.

(a) The Creative Economy Task Force is created within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create a strategic plan to develop the creative economy in this State.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Director or the Director's designee, who shall serve as chair of the task force;

(2) one representative from the banking industry with experience in matters involving the federal small business administration, appointed by the Department;

(3) one representative from a certified public accounting firm or other company with experience in financial modeling and in the creative arts, appointed by the Department;

(4) five representatives from this States' arts community, appointed by the Department, including, but not limited to, the following sectors:

(A) film, television, and video production;

(B) recorded audio and music production;

(C) animation production;

(D) video game development;

(E) live theater, orchestra, ballet, and opera;

(F) live music performance;

(G) visual arts, including sculpture, painting, graphic design, and photography;

(H) production facilities, such as film and television 23 studios; and

(I) live music or performing arts venues.

(c) Within 2 years after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, the task force shall collect and analyze data on the current state of the creative economy in this State and develop a strategic plan to improve this State's creative economy that can be rolled out in incremental phases to reach identified economic, social justice, and business development goals. The goal of the strategic plan shall be to ensure that this State is competitive with respect to attracting creative economy business, retaining talent within this State, and developing marketable content that can be exported for national and international consumption and monetization. The strategic plan shall address support for the creative community within historically marginalized communities, as well as the creative economy at large, and take into account the diverse interests, strengths, and needs of the people of this State. In developing the strategic plan for the creative economy in this State, the task force shall:

(1) identify existing studies of aspects affecting the creative economy, including studies relating to tax issues, legislation, finance, population and demographics, and employment;

(2) conduct a comparative analysis with other jurisdictions that have successfully developed creative economy plans and programs, including the states of Georgia and New Mexico, and the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, Canada;

(3) conduct in-depth interviews to identify best practices for structuring a strategic plan for this State;

(4) evaluate existing banking models for financing creative economy projects in the private sector and develop a financial model to promote investment in this State's creative economy;

(5) evaluate existing State and county tax incentives and make recommendations for improvements to support the creative economy;

(6) identify the role that counties and cities play with respect to the strategic plan, and identify specific counties and cities that may need or want a stronger creative economy;

(7) identify opportunities for synergies with new business models and the integration of new technologies; and

(8) identify the role that State education programs in the creative arts play in the creative economy and with respect to advancing the strategic plan.

(d) The task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2027.

(e) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the task force.

(f) This Section is repealed July 1, 2028.