IL HB4938

Establishes the Illinois Ethanol Research Advisory Board composed of 14 members, including the SIU President (as Chairperson), directors of Commerce and Agriculture, and presidents of corn and renewable fuels associations, plus 6 at-large gubernatorial appointees representing the ethanol industry, growers, suppliers, and universities.

Requires the Advisory Board to review annual operating plans and budgets, advise on research priorities, develop management policies, create bylaws, and submit annual progress and financial reports to the Governor and General Assembly.

Directs the Advisory Board to establish and operate the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a State Biorefining Center of Excellence with specific appropriations for facility operating funds.

Specifies the Center's purposes include conducting interdisciplinary research, providing training to the biofuels workforce, coordinating industry research needs, offering third-party testing and validation services, and developing demonstration projects through federal and other funding sources.

Designates the Advisory Board as a continuation of the Board previously established under the Energy Conservation and Coal Development Act, with the SIU President or designee serving as Chairperson and all major positions allowing for designees.