Bill > HB4972

This bill authorizes the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA) to provide grants to small businesses for security improvements aimed at preventing, preparing for, or responding to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism. A "small business" is defined as a concern meeting federal Small Business Act definitions and having its principal place of business in Illinois. Businesses are considered "high risk" if they have an elevated probability of encountering such threats due to their profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs, and if a failure to secure them increases the odds of public injury, loss of life, or property destruction. Eligible security improvements mirror those in the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, including physical upgrades, training, and security personnel, but cannot duplicate existing federal grants. Applicants must demonstrate prior threats, the symbolic value of their site, potential consequences of an attack, how the grant integrates with broader preparedness efforts, and provide a vulnerability assessment. The bill also establishes the "IEMA At-Risk Small Business Security Grant Fund" as a state treasury fund to support these grants and administrative costs, with a specific exclusion for entities whose primary purpose is medical or mental health services, effective from the bill's enactment.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4972&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104