During legislative action from April 20-24, 2026, several bills tracked by the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) were advanced in the House or Senate. The bills are listed below:
Passed the House
HB 910 creates the Capital Area Tourism Authority for the benefit of the general public and the promotion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism in the City of Springfield, Sangamon County, and the State of Illinois. The bill is often referred to as the "Chicago Bears Stadium Bill," but it has a much broader application for economic development projects.
Creates the Capital City Downtown Medical District Act. Creates the Capital City Downtown Medical District Commission. Sets forth the duties and purpose of the Commission. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Megaproject Assessment Freeze and Payment Law within the Code. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may issue megaproject certificates in connection with projects that satisfy certain minimum investment requirements and other requirements. Provides that property that receives a megaproject certificate from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that sales of building materials that will be incorporated into a megaproject and that are purchased during the incentive period are eligible for the same building materials exemption available to High Impact Businesses under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, to be eligible for megaproject incentives, the company and the local municipality must enter into an incentive agreement. Provides that, in addition to other requirements, the incentive agreement must require the company to pay, or be responsible for the payment of, an annual special payment to the local municipality. Provides that no person who participates personally and substantially in the negotiation of a megaproject agreement on behalf of a local municipality or taxing district may, within a period of one year after the effective date of the agreement, knowingly accept employment or receive compensation or fees from a company that is a party to the agreement. Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides that the Auditor General shall conduct a compliance audit in accordance with specified provisions of the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy Act. Amends the State Finance Act, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Metro-East Park and Recreation District Act, and the Local Mass Transit District Act. Provides for the transfer of the local sales tax increment to the STAR Bonds Revenue Fund. Amends the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy Act. Creates a New Opportunities for Vacation and Adventure Urban District (NOVA urban district). Sets forth the requirements to be certified as a NOVA urban district. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for rehabilitation costs for qualified historic properties in the Capital City Downtown Medical District. Creates a capital city jobs tax credit. Repeals the Mid-Illinois Medical District Act. The legislation is expected to be further amended in the Senate. ISACo has no position on the bill.
Why HB 910 Matters to Counties: HB 910 matters to counties because it offers new incentives to attract large developments and boost tourism, but those incentives could reduce or delay property tax revenue that counties depend on to fund services like public safety and infrastructure. While the bill allows local governments to negotiate payments from developers, counties may not always be at the table if cities take the lead, which could limit county influence over deals that affect their finances. In short, the proposal could bring economic growth, but it also creates risk for county budgets and raises concerns about local control and fair sharing of revenue.
Advanced to Senate Floor by Senate Assignments Committee
HB 4541 amends the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to explicitly include overpayments made to any government, agency, or instrumentality within the legal definition of "property." This definition encompasses payments for taxes, licenses, or fees made in excess of what was ultimately required, and the Act clarifies that these changes serve as a restatement of existing law rather than a new mandate.
The bill introduces specific regulations regarding "asset purchasers," defined as large business associations that generate at least $100 million in annual gross receipts, employ 100 or more full-time domestic employees, or trade equity securities on a federal exchange. While the Act exempts asset purchase agreements arising from bankruptcy, corporate dissolution, or receivership proceedings, it establishes strict filing requirements for all other claims made by these entities. Specifically, an asset purchaser must provide a complete, unredacted copy of the purchase agreement and a formal attestation from the seller confirming the business meets the size criteria and is aware that the unclaimed property could have been recovered from the administrator without a fee. These provisions are set to take effect immediately. ISACo has no position on the bill.
Why HB 4541 Matters to Counties: HB 4541 matters to counties because it clarifies that overpayments, like excess taxes, fees, or license payments, must be treated as unclaimed property, which could affect how counties track, report, and potentially return these funds. While the bill is framed as a clarification of existing law, it reinforces expectations around compliance and could increase administrative responsibilities for county offices handling payments. At the same time, the new rules targeting large “asset purchasers” are meant to limit third-party companies from profiting off unclaimed property claims without transparency, which could reduce outside pressure on counties and protect taxpayers from unnecessary fees. Overall, the bill tightens processes and oversight, with modest operational impacts for counties but potential benefits in reducing exploitative practices.
HB 5316 amends the Nuclear Safety Law of 2004 to expand the emergency response powers of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). The bill grants IEMA and the Office of Homeland Security the legal right to enter both public and private property to take environmental samples in response to a disaster or incident that causes, or threatens to cause, radioactive contamination consistent with the regulatory requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The goal is to ensure the state can respond rapidly and accurately to nuclear emergencies by removing barriers to environmental data collection. ISACo has no position on the bill.
Why HB 5316 Matters to Counties: HB 5316 matters to counties because it strengthens the state’s ability to respond quickly to nuclear or radiological emergencies, including by allowing state officials to enter public and private property to collect environmental samples. For counties, this could improve coordination and speed during emergencies, helping protect public health and safety. At the same time, it may raise practical considerations for local officials, such as how these state powers interact with county emergency management efforts, communication with residents, and handling concerns about property access—making clear coordination and communication essential during an incident.