IL HB0678

Creates the Regional Economic Development Act to establish economic development regions throughout Illinois and at least one regional office in each region through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Region boundaries shall be determined based on economic interdependence, commuting patterns, employment centers, labor markets, topographic characteristics, and geographic proximity.

Regional offices authorized to serve as information centers for economic development resources, provide business outreach (especially to small, minority, and women-owned enterprises), coordinate state agency programs, and assist with licensing and permitting compliance.

Governor shall establish one regional economic development council per region composed of appointed local experts and stakeholders from businesses, academia, municipalities, and non-governmental organizations serving without compensation.

Regional councils shall develop long-term strategic economic plans, create job growth strategies, recommend projects for state and local funding, and align local initiatives with state development priorities, with all meetings open to the public.