HB4959eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4959 Engrossed LRB103 36303 SPS 66401 b

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) Subject to appropriation, 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 of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Director's designee, who shall serve as chair of the task force;

(2) the Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council or the Executive Director's designee, who shall serve as the vice-chair of the task force;

(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(6) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(7) one member from the banking industry with experience in matters involving the federal small business administration, appointed by the Governor;

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

(9) one member recommended by the Illinois State Association of Counties, appointed by the Governor;

(10) one member from an Illinois public institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution with experience in matters involving cultural arts, appointed by the Governor;

(11) the Director of Labor or the Director's designee; and

(12) five members from this State's arts community, appointed by the Governor, 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 studios;

(I) live music or performing arts venues; and

(J) arts service organizations.

(c) No later than July 1, 2026, 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;

(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 federal, State, and local 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 aligning with new business models and the integration of new technologies;

(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;

(9) identify geographic areas with the least amount of access or opportunity for a creative economy;

(10) identify opportunities for earn and learn job training employment for students who have enrolled or completed a program in the arts, low-income or unemployed creative workers, and others with demonstrated interest in creative work in their communities; and

(11) identify existing initiatives and projects that can be used as models for earn and learn opportunities or as examples of best practices for earn and learn opportunities that can be replicated Statewide or in different regions.

(d) The task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than July 1, 2026.

(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) Appropriations for the task force may be used to support operational expenses of the Department, including entering into a contract with a third-party provider for administrative support.

(g) The Director or the Director's designee may, after issuing a request for proposals, designate a third-party provider to help facilitate task force meetings, compile information, and prepare the strategic plan described in subsection (c). A third-party provider contracted by the Director shall have experience conducting business in professional arts or experience in business development and drafting business plans and multidisciplinary planning documents.

(h) This Section is repealed January 1, 2027.