20 ILCS 605/605-707
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH|20 ILCS 605/ - Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law)|Article 605 - Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity

 (was 20 ILCS 605/46.6d)Sec. 605-707. International Tourism Program.(a) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must establish a  program for international tourism.  The Department shall develop and  implement the program on January 1, 2000 by rule.  As part of the program, the  Department may work in cooperation with local convention and tourism bureaus  in Illinois in the coordination of international tourism efforts at the State  and local level.  The  Department may (i)  work in cooperation with local convention and tourism bureaus for efficient use  of their international tourism marketing  resources, (ii) promote  Illinois in international meetings and tourism markets, (iii)  work with  convention and tourism bureaus throughout the State to increase the number of  international tourists to Illinois, (iv) provide training,  research, technical support, and grants to certified convention and  tourism bureaus, (v) provide staff, administration, and related support  required to manage the programs under this Section, and (vi) provide grants  for the development of or the enhancement of  international tourism  attractions.(b) The Department shall make grants for expenses related to international  tourism and pay for the staffing,  administration, and related support from the International  Tourism Fund, a special fund created in the State Treasury.  Of the amounts  deposited into the Fund in fiscal year 2000 after January 1, 2000 through fiscal year 2011, 55% shall be  used for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago (other than the  City of Chicago's Office of Tourism) and 45% shall be used for development of  international tourism in areas outside of Chicago.  Of the amounts  deposited into the Fund in fiscal year 2001 and thereafter, 55% shall be used  for grants to convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago, and of that amount not  less than  27.5% shall be used  for  grants to convention and tourism bureaus in Chicago other than the  City of Chicago's Office of Tourism, and 45%  shall be  used for administrative expenses and grants authorized under this Section and  development of international tourism in areas outside of Chicago, of which not  less than $1,000,000  shall be used annually to make grants to convention and tourism bureaus in  cities other than Chicago that demonstrate their international tourism appeal  and request to develop or expand their international tourism marketing  program, and may also be used to provide grants under item (vi) of subsection  (a) of  this Section. All of the amounts deposited into the Fund in fiscal year 2012 and thereafter shall be used for administrative expenses and grants authorized under this Section and development of international tourism in areas outside of Chicago, of which not less than $1,000,000 shall be used annually to make grants to convention and tourism bureaus in cities other than Chicago that demonstrate their international tourism appeal and request to develop or expand their international tourism marketing program, and may also be used to provide grants under item (vi) of subsection (a) of this Section. Amounts appropriated to the State Comptroller for administrative expenses and grants authorized by the Illinois Global Partnership Act are payable from the International Tourism Fund.  For Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 only, the administrative expenses by the Department and the grants to convention and visitors bureaus outside the City of Chicago may be expended for the general purposes of promoting conventions and tourism.(c) A convention and tourism bureau is eligible to receive grant moneys  under this Section if the bureau is certified to receive funds under Title 14  of the Illinois Administrative Code, Section 550.35.  To be eligible for a  grant, a convention and tourism bureau must provide matching funds equal to the  grant amount.  The Department shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant under this Section that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 50% of the grant amount. In certain  circumstances as determined by the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,  however, the City of  Chicago's  Office of Tourism or any other convention and tourism bureau  may provide  matching funds equal to no less than 50% of the grant amount to be  eligible to  receive  the grant.  One-half of this 50% may be provided through in-kind contributions.  Grants received by the City of Chicago's Office of Tourism and by convention  and tourism bureaus in Chicago may be expended for the general purposes of  promoting conventions and tourism.   (Source: P.A. 101-636, eff. 6-10-20; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)