HB0798 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 03879 RLJ 13913 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB0798

Introduced 2/9/2009, by Rep. Ronald A. Wait

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-927 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to develop a program to make grants to local development organizations. Provides that under this program, a county or municipality may apply to the Department for a grant to be awarded to a local development organization in that county or municipality for the purpose of fostering local or regional economic development. Provides that these grants are subject to appropriation and sets forth the purposes for which the grants may be used. Provides that an organization is not eligible to receive grant moneys under the program if it has publicly endorsed any political candidate or if it distributes political questionnaires. Provides that documents produced under the grant program are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Effective on January 1, 2010.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning economic development.

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

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-927 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-927 new)

Sec. 605-927. Grants to local economic development organizations.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department must develop a program to make grants to local development organizations. Under this program, a county or municipality may apply to the Department for a grant to be awarded to a local development organization in that county or municipality for the purpose of fostering local or regional economic development. A local development organization is not eligible to receive grant moneys under this Section if it has publicly endorsed any political candidate or if it distributes political questionnaires. Organizations receiving funds under this Section may be required to submit to audits by the Department. Documents produced under the grant program are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

(b) For purposes of this Section, "local development organization" means a private or public entity organized for the purpose of the economic development within a municipality, county, or region of the State.

(c) All grant awards under this Section are subject to appropriation and may be used for any of the following:

(1) expenses related to the start-up or expansion of a local development organization;

(2) local or regional economic development planning and related studies; and

(3) any other specific use authorized by the Department relating to the start-up or expansion of and economic planning by a local economic development organization.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2010.