Bill
HB 2829
Creates the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund funded by 0.25 of every $1 of Illinois wine tax revenue to grant support for in-state wineries and grape growers via an advisory council.
Status & procedural history
- Introduced: February 6, 2025 by Rep. Charles Meier.
- Key actions: Referred to Rules Committee (2/6/2025); assigned to Executive Committee (3/4/2025); Read first time (3/19/2025); Re-referred to Rules (3/21/2025). Co-sponsors added April 8, 2025 (Reps. Theresa Mah, Dave Severin, Christopher “C.D.” Davidsmeyer).
- Note: The packet provided also contains unrelated Arizona bill text about real estate website advertising; this summary focuses on the Illinois Liquor Control Act amendments (wine promotion).
Purpose / intent
- Establish a dedicated funding stream and governance structure to promote Illinois wine production and grape growing by creating the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund and an Illinois Winery Advisory Council. The intent is to direct a portion of wine tax revenue toward grants and promotion targeted to in‑state wine manufacturers and grape growers located in designated “wine trails.”
Key provisions
- New fund: Creates the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund as a special fund in the State treasury (added to the State Finance Act as 30 ILCS 105/5.1030).
- Revenue allocation: Beginning January 1, 2026, $0.25 of every $1 of the remainder of the tax imposed under the Liquor Control Act on wine manufactured in Illinois shall be deposited into the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. (The bill text describes this as $0.25 per $1 of the “remainder” of the wine tax revenue — see text for exact allocation mechanics.)
- Eligible uses: Moneys in the Fund may be used by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) only to:
- Distribute grants to wine manufacturers and grape growers located in a Department‑designated “wine trail” (a geographic area where significant wine manufacturing occurs), and
- Administer and maintain the Illinois Winery Advisory Council.
- Illinois Winery Advisory Council:
- Established to oversee and advise IDOA on grant distribution.
- Members appointed by the Director of Agriculture after consultation with Illinois wine manufacturers and stakeholders.
- Membership must represent geographically distinct areas of the State.
- Council elects its chair, meets at least quarterly, members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses, and vacancies are filled by the Director.
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: Illinois wine manufacturers (wineries) and grape growers located within Department‑designated wine trails who are eligible for grants.
- Administrative impact: Illinois Department of Agriculture will administer the Fund and grants and staff the Advisory Council.
- Fiscal impact: A portion of wine tax revenue that previously flowed to general revenue or other uses would be redirected to the new Fund beginning Jan 1, 2026. The bill specifies $0.25 per $1 of the remainder of the wine tax but does not state total expected dollar amounts; actual fiscal effect depends on in‑state wine tax receipts.
Notes / considerations
- The phrase “remainder of the tax” in the allocation provision is ambiguous in isolation; implementers will rely on the full statutory tax framework to calculate the exact deposit amount.
- The Fund is restricted to grant distribution and Council administration — no other uses are authorized by the text as introduced.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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