(15 ILCS 322/40) (from Ch. 128, par. 240)

Sec. 40. Illinois Literacy Foundation.

(a) The Secretary of State is authorized in accordance with Section 10 of the State Agency Entity Creation Act to create a not-for-profit foundation which shall be known as the Illinois Literacy Foundation. The Secretary shall file articles of incorporation and bylaws as required under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 to create the Foundation. There shall be not less than 6 nor more than 11 Directors to the Foundation to be appointed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State or his or her designee shall serve as an ex-officio Director of the Foundation. No Director may receive compensation for his or her services to the Foundation.

(b) The purposes of the Foundation are to promote literacy among the residents of the State of Illinois by supporting literacy programs and enhancing Statewide literacy awareness; to make grants and gifts in aid and support of the goal; and to engage generally in other lawful endeavors consistent with the foregoing purposes. The Foundation shall not exceed the provisions of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986.

(c) As soon as practicable after the Foundation is created, the Directors shall meet, organize, and designate, by majority vote, a Chairman, Secretary, and any additional officers as may be needed to carry out the activities of the Foundation. The Secretary of State may adopt rules and regulations as deemed necessary to govern Foundation procedures.

(d) The Foundation may accept gifts or grants from the federal government, its agencies or officers, or from any person, firm, or corporation; and may expend receipts on activities that it considers suitable to the performance of its duties under this Section. Funds collected by the Foundation shall be considered private funds and shall be held in an appropriate account outside of the State Treasury. The treasurer of the Foundation shall be custodian of all Foundation funds. The Foundation's accounts and books shall be set up and maintained in a manner approved by the Auditor General and the Foundation and its officers shall be responsible for the approval of recording of receipts, approval of payments, and the proper filing of required reports. The Foundation may be assisted in carrying out its functions by personnel of the Office of the Secretary of State with respect to matters falling within their scope and function. The Foundation shall cooperate fully with the boards, commissions, agencies, departments and institutions of the State. The funds held and made available by the Illinois Literacy Foundation shall be subject to financial and compliance audits by the Auditor General in compliance with the Illinois State Auditing Act.

(Source: P.A. 87-1249.)