HB3414eng 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3414 Engrossed LRB097 08433 HLH 48560 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Main Street Act.

Section 5. Legislative purpose. The General Assembly makes the following findings:

(1) The continued economic vitality of downtown and neighborhood commercial districts in our municipalities is essential to community preservation, social cohesion, and economic growth.

(2) Municipalities need to maintain their local economies so that business owners will be able to provide goods and services to the community, to provide employment opportunities, to avoid disinvestment and economic dislocations, and to develop and sustain downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs to address these problems.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Director" means the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Program" means the Illinois Main Street Program.

Section 15. Illinois Main Street Program. The Illinois Main Street Program is created within the Department. In order to implement the Illinois Main Street Program, the Department shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide assistance to municipalities designated as Main Street Communities, municipalities interested in becoming designated through the program, and businesses, property owners, organizations, and municipalities undertaking a comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization initiative and management strategy. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, initial site evaluations and assessments, training for local programs, training for local program staff, site visits and assessments by technical specialists, local program design assistance and evaluation, and continued local program on-site assistance.

(2) To the extent funds are made available, provide financial assistance to municipalities or local organizations to assist in initial downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program specialized training, specific project feasibility studies, market studies, and design assistance.

(3) Operate the Illinois Main Street Program in accordance with the plan developed by the Department.

(4) Consider other factors the Department deems necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Section 20. Main Street Community designation.

(a) The Department shall 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.

Section 25. Illinois Main Street Plan. The Department shall, in consultation with the Lieutenant Governor, develop a plan for the Illinois Main Street Program. The plan shall describe:

(1) the objectives and strategies of the Illinois Main Street Program;

(2) how the Illinois Main Street Program will be coordinated with existing federal, state, local, and private sector business development and historic preservation efforts;

(3) the means by which private investment will be solicited and employed;

(4) the methods of selecting and providing assistance to participating local programs; and

(5) a means to solicit private contributions for State and local operations of the Illinois Main Street Program.

Section 30. Role of the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor shall be the Ambassador of the Illinois Main Street Program. The Department shall advise and consult with the Lieutenant Governor on the activities of the Illinois Main Street Program. The Lieutenant Governor, with the assistance of the Department, shall promote and encourage the success of the Illinois Main Street Program.

Section 35. Illinois Main Street Fund. The Illinois Main Street Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All receipts from private contributions, federal funds, legislative appropriations, and fees for services, if levied, must be deposited into the Fund. Subject to appropriation, expenditures from the Fund may be used only for the benefit of the Illinois Main Street Program.

Section 40. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.786 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.786 new)

Sec. 5.786. The Illinois Main Street Fund.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.