(20 ILCS 2705/2705-285) (was 20 ILCS 2705/49.06b)

Sec. 2705-285. Ports and waterways.

(a) The Department has the power to undertake port and waterway development planning and studies of port and waterway development problems and to provide technical assistance to port districts and units of local government in connection with port and waterway development activities. The Department may provide financial assistance for the ordinary and contingent expenses of port districts upon the terms and conditions that the Department finds necessary to aid in the development of those districts.

(b) The Department shall coordinate all its activities under this Section with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(c) The Department, in coordination with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall establish a Port Facilities Capital Investment Grant Program. The Department shall, subject to appropriation, make capital improvement grants to port districts. The Multi-modal Transportation Bond Fund shall be the source of funding for the program. Eligible grant recipients shall be public port districts that offer facilities and services in a manner that supports and fulfills the mission of the Department. Eligible grant recipients have no entitlement to a grant under this Section.

(d) The Department, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall adopt rules to implement this Section and shall create a competitive application procedure for grants to be awarded. The rules shall specify: the manner of applying for grants; grantee eligibility requirements; project eligibility requirements; restrictions on the use of grant moneys; the manner in which grantees must account for the use of grant moneys; and any other provision that the Department or the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity determine to be necessary or useful for the administration of this Section. Rules may include a requirement for grantees to provide local matching funds in an amount equal to a specific percentage of the grant.

(e) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish standards for determining the priorities concerning the necessity for capital facilities for ports based on data available to the Department.

(f) No portion of a capital investment grant awarded under this Section may be used by a grantee to pay for any on-going operational costs or outstanding debt.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)