IL HB1629

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act to allow clean coal facilities to be constructed within 10 miles of the Rend Lake Conservancy District in counties with unemployment above the state average as of the effective date.

Changes the coal requirement for the Agency's first facility from "coal produced in Illinois" to coal with high volatile bituminous rank and greater than 1.7 pounds of sulfur per million BTU content.

Permits the Agency to develop renewable energy facilities after work on the first coal facility has commenced.

Maintains requirement that the Agency hold at least one public hearing with 30 days' notice before entering into contractual arrangements for facility development.

Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.