IL HB1725

Creates an income tax credit for qualified small businesses equal to amounts spent on advertising with local news organizations, capped at $2,500 per taxpayer per year

Limits total credits awarded statewide to $3,000,000 per calendar year, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis

Applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 and before January 1, 2031

Defines qualified small businesses as independently owned, for-profit entities with 50 or fewer employees or less than $4,000,000 in annual gross revenue, located within 25 miles of the local news organization

Qualified advertising includes newspaper, television, billboard, and other digital or print media with local news organizations as defined in the Strengthening Community Media Act