(20 ILCS 700/1004) (from Ch. 127, par. 3701-4)

Sec. 1004. Duties and powers. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish and administer any of the programs authorized under this Act subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the General Assembly. The Department may make awards from general revenue fund appropriations, federal reimbursement funds, and the Technology Cooperation Fund, as provided under the provisions of this Act. The Department, in addition to those powers granted under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, is granted the following powers to help administer the provisions of this Act:

(a) To provide financial assistance as direct or participation grants, loans, or qualified security investments to, or on behalf of, eligible applicants. Loans, grants, and investments shall be made for the purpose of increasing research and development, commercializing technology, adopting advanced production and processing techniques, and promoting job creation and retention within Illinois;

(b) To enter into agreements, accept funds or grants, and engage in cooperation with agencies of the federal government, local units of government, universities, research foundations or institutions, regional economic development corporations, or other organizations for the purposes of this Act;

(c) To enter into contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding; and to provide funds for participation agreements or to make any other agreements or contracts or to invest, grant, or loan funds to any participating intermediary organizations, including not-for-profit entities, for-profit entities, State agencies or authorities, government owned and contract operated facilities, institutions of higher education, other public or private development corporations, or other entities necessary or desirable to further the purpose of this Act. Any such agreement or contract by an intermediary organization to deliver programs authorized under this Act may include terms and provisions, including, but not limited to, organization and development of documentation, review and approval of projects, servicing and disbursement of funds, and other related activities;

(d) To fix, determine, charge, and collect any premiums, fees, charges, costs, and expenses, including, without limitation, any application fees, commitment fees, program fees, financing charges, or publication fees in connection with the Department's activities under this Act;

(e) To establish forms for applications, notifications, contracts, or any other agreements, and to promulgate procedures, rules, or regulations deemed necessary and appropriate;

(f) To establish and regulate the terms and conditions of the Department's agreements and to consent, subject to the provisions of any agreement with another party, to the modification or restructuring of any agreement to which the Department is a party;

(g) To require that recipients of financial assistance shall at all times keep proper books of record and account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, with such books open for reasonable Department inspection and audits, including, without limitation, the making of copies thereof;

(h) To require applicants or grantees receiving funds under this Act to permit the Department to: (i) inspect and audit any books, records or papers related to the project in the custody or control of the applicant, including the making of copies or extracts thereof, and (ii) inspect or appraise any of the applicant's or grantee's business assets;

(i) To require applicants or grantees, upon written request by the Department, to issue any necessary authorization to the appropriate federal, State, or local authority for the release of information concerning a business or business project financed under the provisions of this Act, with the information requested to include, but not be limited to, financial reports, returns, or records relating to that business or business project;

(i-5) To provide staffing, administration, and related support required to manage the programs authorized under this Act and to pay for staffing and administration as appropriated by the General Assembly. Administrative responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, research and identification of the needs of commerce and industry in this State; design of comprehensive statewide plans and programs; direction, management, and control of specific projects; and communication and cooperation with entities about technology commercialization and business modernization;

(j) To take whatever actions are necessary or appropriate to protect the State's interest in the event of bankruptcy, default, foreclosure or noncompliance with the terms and conditions of financial assistance or participation required under this Act, including the power to sell, dispose, lease or rent, upon terms and conditions determined by the Director to be appropriate, real or personal property which the Department may receive as a result thereof; and

(k) To exercise such other powers as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)