SB2470: STAR BONDS-APPROVAL AND TAX

Legislative Summary

Amends the Innovation Development and Economy Act. Provides that the corporate authorities of any political subdivision that (i) is not a home-rule unit and (ii) has established a STAR bond district under the Act may, by ordinance or resolution, impose a tourism tax upon all admission and amusement charges from transactions at places of business located within the STAR bond district, at a rate not to exceed 9% of the gross receipts derived from any admission and amusement charge within the STAR bond district, to be imposed only in 0.25% increments. Provides that the tax imposed under the provisions and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident of the tax under the provisions shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. Provides that, for any STAR bond district created on or after January 1, 2025, the Director of Revenue may only approve a STAR bond district if the Director finds that: (i) the proposed STAR bond district is an eligible area; (ii) the STAR bond district plan includes a projected capital investment of at least $500,000,000; (iii) the STAR bond district plan is reasonably projected to produce at least $100,000,000 of annual gross sales revenues, 1,500 new jobs, and 5,000 construction jobs; (iv) the STAR bond district plan includes a statement of how the jobs and taxes will contribute significantly to the economic development of the State and region; (v) the STAR bond district plan shows visitation expectations in excess of 1,000,000 visitors annually; (vi) the STAR bond district plan includes potential destination users and a potential entertainment user; (vii) the creation of the STAR bond district and STAR bond district plan are in accordance with the purpose of the Act and the public interest; and (viii) the STAR bond district and STAR bond district plan meet any other requirement the Director deems appropriate. Provides that, for the purposes of the Act, "local sales tax increment" includes, with respect to local sales taxes administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, all of the local sales tax paid by, among others, amusement park users. Makes other changes.