Bill
HB 3959
HB 3959 is an appropriations bill funding capital, economic development, and reclamation projects, with many grants/loans and bond-backed spending starting July 1, 2025.
Note on title/content discrepancy
- The bill header provided lists the title as “Relating to automatic voter registration,” but the full text included in the submission is an appropriations act (capital and economic development appropriations and reappropriations). This summary follows the actual bill text included, which is an appropriations measure. Interested readers should verify the official bill text on the Illinois General Assembly website for final confirmation.
Overview / main purpose
- HB 3959 is primarily an appropriations bill that makes new appropriations and reappropriations (beginning July 1, 2025) for a variety of capital, economic development, and reclamation projects. The bill states the State’s intent that some costs may be paid or reimbursed from proceeds of subsequently issued tax‑exempt bonds. The bill was introduced Feb. 25, 2025, and its status is “in committee upon adjournment.”
Key provisions and dollar amounts (selected)
- Article 1: Declares intent that costs funded from multiple capital and bond funds (Capital Development Fund, School Construction Fund, Build Illinois Bond Fund, Transportation Bond Funds, etc.) may be reimbursed from tax‑exempt bond proceeds.
- Article 2: Amends prior act to appropriate $2,000,000 from the Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Set‑Aside Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for planning and construction to eliminate hazards from abandoned mined lands (and related grants/contracts).
- Article 3 / Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (select appropriations from Build Illinois Bond Fund and other funds):
- $24,000,000 — grants/loans for development/improvement of manufacturing training academies.
- $75,000,000 — grants/loans to foster economic development and job creation (Build Illinois Bond Fund).
- $200,000,000 — grants/loans for site readiness projects.
- $50,000,000 — from Rebuild Illinois Projects Fund for economic development grants/loans.
- $30,000,000 and $7,700,000 — for vocational/education/technical program facilities and related capital (two separate line items).
- $2,000,000 — grants to design/construct/equip shared workspaces for water‑technology/water‑intensive startups, research institutions, and industry.
- $1,500,000 — for the “Made in Illinois” program to promote manufacturing and jobs.
- $50,000,000 — from the Illinois Works Fund for costs associated with the Illinois Works Pre‑Apprenticeship Program.
- Governor approval proviso: contains language that some contracts/expenditures require written approval by the Governor before funds may be expended (proviso is included in the bill text).
- Article 4: Reappropriations (examples):
- $10,000,000 — reappropriated Build Illinois Bond Fund grant to the Uptown Theatre for capital improvements.
- $16,994,920; $3,500,001; $32,210,847 — additional reappropriations for brownfield redevelopment and other previously authorized projects (text is truncated; see official bill for full list).
Who is affected
- State agencies receiving funds (notably the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Natural Resources).
- Local governments, educational and vocational institutions, employers, manufacturing training academies, brownfield redevelopment projects, water‑technology startups, the Uptown Theatre, and participants in Illinois Works/Pre‑Apprenticeship and Made in Illinois programs.
- Bond issuance and capital finance authorities insofar as projects may be reimbursed from tax‑exempt bond proceeds.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced: Feb. 25, 2025 (Rep. Robyn Gabel).
- Several committee referrals and readings occurred Feb.–Apr. 2025; read first time Mar. 27, 2025.
- Status as of June 28, 2025: In committee upon adjournment.
- The bill’s synopsis indicates appropriations “beginning July 1, 2025” and the act is described as “Effective immediately” in the introductory synopsis.
Limitations / recommendation
- The posted text is partially truncated and includes some formatting/wording errors. Because the bill you provided differs from the listed title, verify and review the complete official text and history on the Illinois General Assembly site (or the Secretary of State/legislative clerk) to confirm the final appropriations, provisos, and any amendments.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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