Peoria Standard

A tax relief bill that advanced through the General Assembly in early April included language from Rep. Tim Butler's (R-Peoria) Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act as a House Floor amendment. The bill passed the General Assembly with near-unanimous support.

"While I think the MICRO Act should have been passed on its own merits, I am nonetheless happy to see my colleagues recognize the benefits this legislation will bring to our state," Butler said in a press release on his website. "The MICRO Act means hundreds, even thousands, of jobs can be created here in Illinois to make our state a leader in microchip and semiconductor production."

Butler originally filed House Bill 4364, or the MICRO Act, on Jan. 19, where it stalled in the House. The last recorded action on this bill was Feb. 18, when it was re-referred to the rules committee. If it had passed, it would have gone into effect immediately, creating tax incentives for manufacturers of semiconductors, microchips, or semiconductor or microchip component parts.

"This isn't just good for our economy, it also means shifting away from reliance on overseas components from countries like China," Butler said. The main aim of the MICRO Act is to establish certain parameters for the suppliers and manufacturers of semiconductors and microchips or their components that will help them receive incentives for job creation and project development.

Language from House Bill 4364 was added to Senate Bill 0157, which was originally filed by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) on Feb. 9. It passed both chambers and is now awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature.