ENTERPRISE ZONES-APPLICATIONS

Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that, in calendar year 2018, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may certify an additional 25 Enterprise Zones. Provides that, for Enterprise Zones scheduled to expire after January 1, 2023, the application process shall begin 5 years prior to the year in which the Zone expires. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may award partial points during the application process if the applicant demonstrates job creation and investment levels below the threshold set forth in the statute. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may adjust the scoring for applicants that are located entirely within a county with a population of less than 300,000 if the Department finds that the designation will help to alleviate the effects of poverty and unemployment within the proposed Enterprise Zone. Provides for provisional certification of substantially complete Enterprise Zone applications. Effective immediately.