(20 ILCS 655/5.2.1)

Sec. 5.2.1. Enterprise Zone Board.

(a) An Enterprise Zone Board is hereby created within the Department.

(b) The Board shall consist of the following 5 members:

(1) the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) the Director of Revenue, or his or her designee; and

(3) three members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Board members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(c) Each member appointed under item (3) of subsection (b) shall have at least 5 years of experience in business, economic development, or site location. Of the members appointed under item (3) of subsection (b): one member shall reside in Cook County; one member shall reside in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will County; and one member shall reside in a county other than Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will.

(d) Of the initial members appointed under item (3) of subsection (b): one member shall serve for a term of 2 years; one member shall serve for a term of 3 years; and one member shall serve for a term of 4 years. Thereafter, all members appointed under item (3) of subsection (b) shall serve for terms of 4 years. Members appointed under item (3) of subsection (b) may be reappointed. The Governor may remove a member appointed under item (3) of subsection (b) for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

(e) By September 30, 2015, and September 30 of each year thereafter, all applications filed by December 31 of the preceding calendar year and deemed qualified by the Department shall be approved or denied by the Board. If such application is not approved by September 30, the application shall be considered denied. If an application is denied, the Board shall inform the applicant of the specific reasons for the denial.

(f) A majority of the Board will determine whether an application is approved or denied. The Board is not, at any time, required to designate an enterprise zone.

(g) In determining which designated areas shall be approved and certified as enterprise zones, the Board shall give preference to the extent to which the area meets the criteria set forth in Section 4.

(Source: P.A. 97-905, eff. 8-7-12; 98-109, eff. 7-25-13.)