(35 ILCS 16/15)

Sec. 15. Powers of the Department. The Department, in addition to those powers granted under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, is granted and has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Act, including, but not limited to, power and authority to:

(a) Adopt rules deemed necessary and appropriate for the administration of the tax credit program; establish forms for applications, notifications, contracts, or any other agreements; and accept applications at any time during the year.

(b) Assist applicants pursuant to the provisions of this Act to promote, foster, and support film production and its related job creation or retention within the State.

(c) Gather information and conduct inquiries, in the manner and by the methods as it deems desirable, including any information required for the Department to comply with Section 45 and, without limitation, gathering information with respect to applicants for the purpose of making any designations or certifications necessary or desirable or to gather information to assist the Department with any recommendation or guidance in the furtherance of the purposes of this Act, including, but not limited to, information as to whether the applicant participated in training, education, and recruitment programs that are organized in cooperation with Illinois colleges and universities, labor organizations, and the motion picture industry, and are designed to promote and encourage the training and hiring of Illinois residents who represent the diversity of the Illinois population.

(d) Provide for sufficient personnel to permit administration, staffing, operation, and related support required to adequately discharge its duties and responsibilities described in this Act from funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly for the administration of this Act.

(e) Require applicants, upon written request, to issue any necessary authorization to the appropriate federal, state, or local authority for the release of information concerning a project being considered under the provisions of this Act, with the information requested to include, but not be limited to, financial reports, returns, or records relating to the applicant or the accredited production.

(f) Require that an applicant must at all times keep proper books of record and account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, with the books, records, or papers related to the accredited production in the custody or control of the taxpayer open for reasonable Department inspection and audits, and including, without limitation, the making of copies of the books, records, or papers, and the inspection or appraisal of any of the assets of the applicant or the accredited production.

(g) 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 that the Department may receive as a result of these actions.

(Source: P.A. 95-720, eff. 5-27-08.)