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HB 5205

STATE COMPTROLLER-STATE FAIR

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jason Bunting and 8 co-sponsors

The bill authorizes the Comptroller, with the Treasurer’s approval, to make periodic imprest transfers for specific state activities (notably State Fair operations) with explicit d

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Bill Summary · HB 5205

Overview

HB5205, introduced in the 104th Illinois General Assembly, would amend the State Comptroller Act to authorize periodic transfers, with the State Treasurer’s approval, for imprest (petty cash) purposes to fund specific State Fair-related activities and other designated programs. The bill sets explicit transfer authorities and dollar limits for various agencies and purposes, updating how certain expenses can be advanced and reimbursed from state funds. The effective date is July 1, 2026.

Purpose and Intent

  • Provide the Comptroller with explicit authority, via rules and regulations, to make periodic transfers for imprest activities, subject to the Treasurer’s approval and ongoing compliance with vouchers, controls, and reporting requirements.
  • Specifically enable funding to support State Fair operations, personnel, entertainment contracts, and related activities through designated transfers.
  • Establish annual termination of certain imprest transfers (within 60 days after each State Fair) and ensure payroll/withholding compliance where applicable.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Imprest Transfers Process
    • The Comptroller may authorize periodic transfers for imprest use, with State Treasurer approval, governed by the Comptroller’s rules and regulations, including voucher controls and reporting.
  • Authorized Transfer Uses and Limits
    • (a) Higher Education Institutions (UI system campuses) and Illinois Community College Board-affiliated East St. Louis campus: up to $200,000 per campus for specified institutions (listed in statute).
    • (b) Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: up to $500,000 per overseas office for operation and closing of overseas offices.
    • (c) Department of Agriculture: up to $200,000 to pay for change-related activities at each State Fair, to be returned within 5 days after activity termination.
    • (d) Department of Agriculture: to pay State Fair premiums/awards, competition personnel, and entertainment contracts/support contracts necessary to provide entertainment at each State Fair; also to pay ticket refunds for canceled events. Transfers cannot exceed the appropriation for each purpose. This authorization terminates within 60 days after the close of each State Fair. The Department must withhold state income tax as required.
    • (e) State Treasurer: up to $25,000 for securities’ safekeeping charges related to government securities’ book-entry system.
    • (f) Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: up to $100,000.
    • (g) Department of Natural Resources: up to $250,000 per fiscal year for cash prizes and awards for World Shooting and Recreational Complex activities, plus related memberships and fees (state and national). Funds advanced to this account must not exceed $250,000 in any fiscal year.
  • Reporting and Control
    • The usual Comptroller rules apply for vouchers, controls, and annual reporting. Transfers are to be made in accordance with approved imprest procedures and subject to annual appropriation limits for each purpose.
  • Effective Date
    • The act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Who/What Is Affected

  • State Comptroller’s office establishing/improving imprest transfer authority.
  • State Treasurer (approval of periodic transfers).
  • State agencies and programs listed for imprest advances:
    • University of Illinois system campuses, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, and East St. Louis Community College Board (via the now-abolished Public Community College Act provisions).
    • Department of Agriculture (State Fair operations, premiums/awards, personnel, entertainment contracts, and refunds related to the State Fair).
    • Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (overseas offices).
    • Department of Natural Resources (World Shooting and Recreational Complex activities and related dues/fees).
    • Department of Agriculture to provide petty-change funds for State Fair activities.
    • Department of Agriculture for transfer of funds related to State Fair change-making activities.
    • Department of Agriculture for securities safekeeping-related costs paid to the Treasurer.
    • Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA).

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Transfers require the Treasurer’s prior approval and must align with the Comptroller’s rules and regulations.
  • Specific imprest transfers are time-bound:
    • The authorization to fund State Fair-related entertainment and refunds (section d) terminates within 60 days after the close of each State Fair.
  • Annual dollar caps apply to each category, ensuring spending is tied to appropriations and subject to audit.
  • Effective date of July 1, 2026, with prospective implementation for the 2026 State Fair season and related activities.

Potential Impacts

  • Streamlined funding for State Fair personnel, entertainment, and related contracts through imprest accounts, potentially improving efficiency of event operations.
  • Clear, capped transfers could aid in budget management and oversight but may require careful coordination between the Comptroller, Treasurer, and Department of Agriculture.
  • Increases clarity around funding for overseas offices and specialized programs (e.g., IMSA, DNR complex events) with explicit per-entity limits.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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