HB 917 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

HB 917 makes a technical amendment to the State Fair Act. Specifically, it modifies a section concerning the short title within that act.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 21, 2026 Last action Apr 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 17, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the State Fair Act with a new section establishing a 'flagship cultural district' program. This program allows one geographic area in a municipality with over 500,000 people to be certified as a hub for arts and culture, with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity responsible for setting criteria and managing the application process.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a technical amendment to the State Fair Act to creating an entirely new program for designating flagship cultural districts in major Illinois cities.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'flagship cultural district' as a geographic area in a municipality with a population greater than 500,000 certified for arts and culture.

ELIGIBILITY

Established that only 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for certification on behalf of a geographic area.

REQUIREMENT

Requires certified districts to submit annual reports on program status and goals, with failure to report for two consecutive years resulting in loss of status.

TIMELINE

Mandates that the Department award one flagship cultural district no later than September 30, 2026, with certifications lasting 10 years and renewable every 5 years.

SCOPE

Removed the original text amending the State Fair Act, effectively replacing that legislative focus with the new cultural district program.

Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2026

How they voted

73–27

Passed · 16 other

Total votes 116

Apr 17, 2026

D Democratic76

67 Yea 9

88% Yea

R Republican40

6 Yea 27 Nay 7

67% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 21, 2026

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Introduced

Arrive in Senate

upper

Apr 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-027-000

lower

Apr 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment; 008-003-000

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Approved for Consideration Rules Committee; 005-000-000

lower

May 31, 2025

Committee

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do Pass / Short Debate Executive Committee; 012-000-000

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Executive Committee

lower

Jan 9, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

2 primary · 19 co-sponsors