Metro East Sun

Legislation aimed at updating the operations of America’s Central Port District has been signed into law in Illinois. State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) sponsored House Bill 2139, which was introduced following a request from the Port District.

The new law revises several aspects of the America’s Central Port District Act to better align with current financial and operational standards. The changes are intended to improve efficiency, increase accountability, and provide more flexibility for the port district, which is considered an important economic center in Illinois.

“This legislation is a win for both taxpayers and the region’s economic future,” said Sen. Harriss. “It strengthens fiscal safeguards, improves efficiency, and allows the Port to better meet today’s infrastructure and commerce needs.”

“This is about keeping our Port District competitive while ensuring transparency and responsibility,” said Rep. Elik. “These updates will help the Port operate effectively for decades to come.”

Key elements of House Bill 2139 include allowing the district to seek low-interest financing from government agencies for critical infrastructure projects, updating financial definitions to match those in state law, requiring compliance with the Public Funds Investment Act for fiscal oversight, extending audit deadlines to nine months after the end of each fiscal year, and formalizing independent auditing practices by sharing results directly with local officials.

House Bill 2139 was described as a bipartisan effort focused on modernizing port operations while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Amy Elik has served as a Republican representative in Illinois’ 111th House District since her election in 2021, succeeding Monica Bristow.

America’s Central Port District is located in Madison County and serves as a transportation and logistics hub supporting regional growth through river, rail, and road connections.