SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a revenue package Wednesday containing a number of tax credits and exemptions. State Senator Patrick Joyce secured a major boost for the corn industry in Illinois by increasing the level of ethanol in fuel in order to be eligible for a fuel sales tax exemption.

“When the demand for ethanol based fuel goes up, we see the demand for Illinois corn rise as well,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This new tax structure will not only help farmers, but it’s also better for our environment.”

The tax exemption provides that the sales tax only apply to 90% of the proceeds of sales of gasohol, 80% of the proceeds of sales of mid-range ethanol blends and none of the proceeds of sales of majority blended ethanol fuel. The new tax structure will incentive the production of e15-e85 fuel blends.

“This is just a win-win situation for our state,” said Joyce. “It helps farmers by increasing corn demand and supports our environment by incentivizing the usage of cleaner-burning fuels.”

Senate Bill 1963 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and heads to the governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD – The City of Kankakee will now be the latest community to be a part of the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program, thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce’s leadership to get Senate Bill 1963 over the finish line.

“When I was growing up, downtown Kankakee was a vibrant area full of small businesses and things to do,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By adding Kankakee to the list of towns eligible to be in the River Edge Redevelopment Zone, investors and small business owners alike will have tax incentives to invest in the downtown area. This action aims to bring back businesses and give old river communities another chance for development.”  

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program helps revive and redevelop environmentally challenged properties adjacent to rivers in Illinois. Currently, the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act authorizes the Illinois Department of Commerce to designate zones in five cities: Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford. This new legislation will add Kankakee and Joliet to the list of authorized municipalities in the zones.

Cities in the River Edge Redevelopment Zone are eligible for the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, which provides a state income-tax credit equal to 25% of a project’s qualified expenditures to owners of certified historic structures.

“We all want the same thing for downtown Kankakee: a thriving downtown with vision for the future,” said Joyce. “This action will help the city with its short- and long-term development goals.”

To learn more about the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program, click here.

SPRRINGFIELD – The South Suburban Airport may soon be reality, thanks to the Senate members of the South Suburbs.

“This is a touchdown for communities across the South Suburbs,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). “This airport will serve as an economic engine for our communities and provide local businesses with access to global markets for generations to come.”

For the last 40 years, lawmakers have attempted to secure a south suburban airport in the Monee community. The measure – spearheaded by Harris – passed on Wednesday, would require the state to establish the process to find partners in the construction of a new south suburban airport.

"We support this project to help create many exciting new opportunities for working families in the South Suburbs for generations to come," said Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney. "It will jump-start the process leading to the thousands of good-paying union construction jobs to build the airport, and create many long-term career opportunities in the direct airport operations and all of the businesses that will develop around it."

The South Suburban Airport Act, which became law more than a decade ago, established that the state may develop a prequalification process. However, steps were not taken to begin to prequalification process, Senators from the South Suburban Corridor believe this initiative will jump-start the process.

“This new facility will help establish the Southland as an economic hub for generations to come,” Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) said. “For years, we have heard promises of this vital resource. I am proud to help bring it to fruition.”

The measure also adds domestic and global freight cargo transfer development to the stated goals for the airport.

The airport holds the promise of bringing in countless opportunities for economic growth, job creation and increased revenue for our area,” said State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). “It only makes sense we are finally moving forward with the project after 40 years in the making.”

House Bill 2531 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and now heads to the governor’s desk for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce championed a measure that passed the Senate Thursday that will allow an easier way to obtain a hunting, fishing, trapping and sportsmen license.

“This is a commonsense measure that will save people time,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “People will have more time to engage in outdoor activities without having to worry about if their license is expired.”

House Bill 3677 will allow Illinois residents to obtain a three-year fishing, hunting, sportsmen’s combination or trapping license at three times the cost of an annual one.

Under current law, people have to renew their license for these activities every year. This legislation will make the process easier for individuals by allowing them to renew the licenses after three years rather than one.

“This is a big convenience factor for people who hunt, fish and trap, but it also helps out our state’s conservation,” said Joyce. “By switching to three-year license options, we will save people the hassle of renewing their license every year while also helping generate more revenue at a time for the state’s conservation efforts.”

House Bill 3677 passed the Senate.