Section 510.20  Definitions

The following definitions are applicable to this Part:

"Act":  means the Illinois Promotion Act [20 ILCS 665].

"Applicant":  means an organization, unit of local government or other eligible entity, as defined in Section 510.110, 510.210 or 510.310 of this Part, submitting a written request for Program funds appropriated under the Act.

"Application":  means a written request for grant funds containing the required information and attachments.

"Bureau of Tourism":  means the division of the Department that has the delegated authority to perform all administrative functions relating to the Act.

"Department":  means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity of the State of Illinois.

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

"Economic Impact":  means the direct financial result of visitor spending at a tourism destination, attraction or event.

"Eligible Project":  means a project that is eligible for funding as defined in Sections 510.120, 510.220, and 510.320 of this Part.

"Fiscal Year":  means July 1 through June 30, the Fiscal Year of the State of Illinois.

"Grant Agreement":  means a written document executed between the Grantee and the Department setting forth the obligations of the Parties, describing the purpose of the grant, identifying the manner in which Grant Funds will be paid and expended, specifying the grant terms during which Grant Funds may be expended, and requiring unspent Grant Funds to be returned to the State.

"Grant Amount" or "Grant Funds":  means a monetary amount that the Department shall award to a Grantee for its expenditure on an Eligible Project.

"Grantee":  means an organization, unit of local government or other eligible entity, as defined in Section 510.110, 510.210, or 510.310 of this Part, eligible to receive Program funds appropriated under the Act.

"Ineligible Project":  means a project that is ineligible for funding as defined in Sections 510.120, 510.220, and 510.320 of this Part.

"In Kind Contribution":  means noncash contributions necessary to complete the Project for which the cash value is easily documented (i.e., donated labor, equipment, supplies and materials), and that are eligible grant and match line-item expenditures identified in the budget of the Grant Agreement.

"Local Promotion Group":  means any non-profit corporation, organization, association, agency or committee thereof formed for the primary purpose of publicizing, promoting, advertising or otherwise encouraging the development of tourism in any Municipality, county or region of Illinois.  [20 ILCS 665/3(b)]

"Matching Funds":  means the portion of the Total Project Cost that is provided by the Grantee. Matching Funds shall not be funds from other Department funded grant programs or used to match any other grant, and are necessary and irrevocably obligated to the Project.

"Municipality":  means "Municipality" as defined in Section 1-1-2(1) of the Illinois Municipal Code [65 ILCS 5/1-1-2(1)].  [20 ILCS 665/3(d)]

"Private Sector":  means any non-governmental entity.

"Program":  means the Tourism Marketing Partnership Program, Tourism Attraction Development Loan and Grant Program, or the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program described in this Part.

"Project":  means the activity or program of activities, described by the Applicant in the Application and approved by the Department, for which a grant is awarded.

"Supporting Visitor Services":  means accommodations, restaurants, shopping, and recreational and cultural activities located within a reasonable distance from the location of the Tourism Attraction, Tourism Destination or Tourism Event being promoted. 

"Total Project Cost":  means all necessary and reasonable costs related to the completion of the Project as identified in the budget of the Grant Agreement.

"Tourism":  means travel 50 miles or more one-way, or an overnight trip outside of a person's normal routine.  [20 ILCS 665/3(e)]

"Tourism Attraction":  means fishing and hunting areas, State parks, historical/cultural sites, areas of historic or scenic interest, museums, recreation areas, botanical gardens, theme/amusement parks, interpretive programs and other facilities or businesses that attract or serve visitors that are open to the public for a minimum of 100 days per year (if the Tourism Attraction is entirely event driven, then it shall be open for a minimum of 200 hours per year), and are marketed and promoted to visitors from more than 50 miles away.

"Tourism Destination":  means a city, town or other area the economy of which is dependent on revenues accruing from tourism.

"Tourism Event":  means an event, such as a major convention, trade show, sporting activity, or festival, with potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius and to produce significantly increased Economic Impact for the State of Illinois through overnight stays.

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 13443, effective July 29, 2008)