HB1636 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act to designate businesses that establish new qualified hydroponics facilities or expand production at existing facilities as "High Impact Businesses."

• Requires qualified hydroponics facilities to create at least 25 full-time-equivalent Illinois jobs to qualify for the designation.

• Defines "hydroponics" as a system using water-soluble nutrients in contact with plant roots grown in an inert supportive medium, and includes production of terrestrial vascular plants useful for human consumption.

• Excludes indoor agriculture operations growing plants illegal under federal law from the definition of qualified hydroponics facilities.

• Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.