(20 ILCS 720/20)

Sec. 20. Main Street Community designation.

(a) The Department may adopt criteria for the designation of a Main Street Community. In establishing the criteria, the Department shall consider all of the following:

(1) The degree of interest and commitment to comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization and, where applicable, historic preservation by both the public and private sectors.

(2) The evidence of potential private sector investment in the downtown or neighborhood commercial district.

(3) Where applicable, a downtown or neighborhood commercial district with sufficient historic fabric to become a foundation for an enhanced community image.

(4) The capacity of the organization to undertake a comprehensive program and the financial commitment to implement a long-term downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program that includes a commitment to employ a professional program manager.

(5) The National Main Street Center's criteria for designating official main street municipalities.

(6) Other factors the Department deems necessary for the designation of a local program.

(b) Illinois Main Street shall designate local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs and official local main street programs.

(c) The Department must approve all local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program boundaries. The boundaries of a local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program are typically defined using the pedestrian core of a traditional commercial district.

(Source: P.A. 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)