Section 615.10  Purpose

 

The purpose of State Designated Cultural District Designations is to:

 

encourage economic development and entrepreneurship;

 

encourage the preservation and development of historic and culturally significant structures, traditions, and languages;

 

foster local cultural development and education;

 

provide a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of the community; and

 

promote growth and opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(a)(6)]

 

Section 615.20  Definitions

 

"Advisory Committee" means an appointed body of members that will advise the Department on program rules and the certification process. The advisory committee shall reflect the diversity of the State of Illinois, including geographic, racial, and ethnic diversity. The advisory committee must include representatives as follows:

 

a representative of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity appointed by the Director;

 

a representative of the Department of Agriculture appointed by the Director of Agriculture;

 

a representative of the Illinois Housing Development Authority appointed by the Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority;

 

two members of the House of Representatives appointed one each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

 

two members of the Senate appointed one each by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate; and

 

four community representatives appointed by the Governor representing diverse racial, ethnic, and geographic groups not captured in the membership of the other designees, with the input of community and stakeholder groups. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(b)(4)(F)]

 

"Applicant" means the municipalities or 501(c)(3) organizations applying on behalf of a certified geographical area seeking cultural district designation. Multiple municipalities, 501(c)(3) organizations, and units of local government may partner to apply but only one eligible entity may be listed as the primary applicant.

 

"Application" means the competitive application system by which a municipality or 501(c)(3) organization may apply for certification as a State-designated cultural district.

 

"Certification" means a geographical area within the State is certified for a period of 10 years, after which the district may renew certification every 5 years, as a State-designated cultural district after a successful application to the Department. The applying entity is responsible for complying with reporting requirements under 20 ILCS 605/605-1057(c).

 

"Community" means the geographical area that has a distinct historic, and cultural identity seeking State-designated cultural district certification.

 

"Community Council" means a group of local stakeholders brought together by the Applicant to demonstrate support of the cultural designation. The Community Council may be made up of local council members, employees of local governments, cultural organizations, community organizations, chambers of commerce, education institutions, etc.

 

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

 

"Designee" means any applicant whose proposal is selected for a designation under this program.

 

"GATA" means the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act [30 ILCS 708].

 

"State-designated cultural district" means a geographical area certified under this Part that has a distinct, historic, and cultural identity. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(a)]

 

"Technical Assistance" means the support provided to State-designated cultural districts to help them identify and achieve their goals for cultural preservation, including, but not limited to, promotional support of State-designated cultural districts and support for small businesses looking to access resources.

 

Section 615.30  Eligibility Requirements

 

a)         A municipality or 501(c)(3) organization located in Illinois is eligible to receive certification as a State-designated cultural district from DCEO if the applicant:

 

1)         Demonstrates the community seeking certification has been historically impacted and is currently at risk of losing their cultural identity because of gentrification, displacement, or the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

2)         Demonstrates a history of economic disinvestment; [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(c)(2)]; and

 

3)         Demonstrates strong community support for the cultural district designation through active and formal participation by community organizations and municipal and regional government agencies or officials.

 

b)         To be eligible for certification, an applicant shall have an active GATA registration and be qualified on the GATA Grantee Portal (https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/) at the time the application is submitted.

 

c)         Applicants are encouraged to partner with other units of local government or 501(c)(3) organizations, but only one eligible entity may be listed as the primary applicant. 

 

d)         An eligible entity may apply for more than one State-designated cultural district designation. Each designation requires a separate application.

 

Section 615.40  Administrative Requirements

 

State cultural district designation awards will be administered in a manner that complies with all State and federal requirements applicable to state funding opportunities including, but not limited to, GATA, the Uniform Guidance and all applicable State or federal laws or rules.  Applicants and Designee's shall review all application materials and designation award documents, which will include the specific applicable requirements for the opportunity, on the Department's website. 

 

a)         Application Process

 

1)         DCEO will post one or more Notices of Designation Opportunity (NODO) on the GATA Grantee Portal (https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/) seeking applications from eligible entities contingent upon availability of designations.  Applicants shall submit their application materials by the deadlines set by DCEO in the NODO, which will be at least 30 days after the NODO posting.

 

2)         As part of the application, applicants shall provide the following information about the geographic area:

 

A)        a detailed description of the defined geographic boundaries, outlined with a map image;

 

B)        a discussion of the characteristics of a distinct, historic, and cultural identity of the geographic area;

 

C)        a detailed statement of need describing the risk of losing the community's cultural identity because of the impact of gentrification, displacement, or the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

D)        a narrative statement using supporting data that demonstrates property value increases, job loss, population loss, business and organizational loss and/or the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

E)        a detailed narrative description of historic economic disinvestment in the community, using supporting data that outlines the impact of inequities from a lack of resources and investment;

 

F)         a detailed description demonstrating the applicant has the organizational capacity to carry out plans, apply for and manage grants, and dedicate personnel to the State cultural district;

 

G)        demonstration of strong community support for the designation though active and formal participation by local diverse stakeholders;

 

H)        letters of support from organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders;

 

I)         if applicable, development plans that include and prioritize the preservation of local businesses and retention of existing residents and businesses; and

 

J)         if applicable, demonstration that the community has an education framework in place informed with a vision of food justice, social justice, community sustainability, and social equity. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(c)(2)]

 

3)         The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of all data, information and documentation. Once submitted, applications shall become the property of the Department.

 

b)         Designation Selection

 

1)         Prior to a merit review of the applications, DCEO will screen all applications submitted to ensure that all of the requirements of the application package have been met.  Applicants will be notified of any deficiencies in their application package and given an opportunity to correct those deficiencies through submission of additional documentation within 30 days of the notice.

 

2)         Certification as a State-designated cultural district will be awarded to eligible entities following a merit review of the applications in accordance with GATA (44 Ill. Adm. 7000.350).  In evaluating applications, the Department will consider the following criteria:

 

A)        The application indicates the overall characteristics of a distinct, historic, and cultural identity;

 

B)        The applicant's demonstration of need through the impact of gentrification, displacement, and the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

C)        The level of risk of loss of cultural identity because of gentrification, displacement, and the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

D)        Demonstration of historical economic disinvestment;

 

E)        The level of community support for the designation including whether that community support is formalized with a Community Council;

 

F)         The likelihood that a designation will result in promoting growth, opportunity and economic development without generating displacement or expanding inequality;

 

G)        The level of organizational capacity and expertise to carry out plans, apply for and manage grant opportunities, and provide dedicated personnel to the State-designated cultural district; and

 

H)        Any additional information to demonstrate or support the information submitted by the applicant for the designation.

 

3)         The Department shall give a priority to projects that have development plans that include and prioritize the preservation of local businesses and retention of existing residents and businesses; and projects that demonstrate that the community has an education framework in place informed with a vision of food justice, social justice, community sustainability, and social equity. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(d)(1)]

 

4)         Applicants shall work with local diverse stakeholders, such as Community Council members, city or town staff, cultural organizations, community organizations, chambers of commerce, educational institutions etc. to develop plans and projects that meet the objectives of the program.  

 

Section 615.50  Term and Termination

 

a)           Certification as a State-designated cultural district shall be for an initial period of 10 years, after which the district may submit an application for renewal every five years. The Department maintains discretion not to renew a State-designated cultural district's designation based on evaluation of their renewal application, or other factors including, but not limited to, failure to use the original designation, failure to execute plans, and failure to submit timely reports. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(c)]

 

b)          The Department shall award no more than five State-designated cultural districts each year. At no point shall the total amount of State-designated cultural districts be more than 15. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(e)]

 

c)           The entity applying for certification is responsible for all reporting requirements. Any State-designated cultural district that fails to file a report for 2 consecutive years shall have their status as a State-designated cultural district terminated. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(f)]

 

Section 615.60  Reporting Requirements 

 

a)         Within 12 months after being designated a cultural district, the State-designated cultural district shall submit a report to the Department detailing its current programs and goals for the next 4 years of its designation. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(f)] The report shall include:

 

1)         Detailed development plans that include and prioritize the preservation of local businesses and retention of existing residents and businesses;

 

2)         A description of an education framework in place, informed with a vision of food justice, social justice, community sustainability, and social equity;

 

3)         A description of existing infrastructure needs in order to expand economic opportunity for businesses and residents;

 

4)         A description and data regarding affordable housing needs for existing residents and plans for how those goals can be achieved;

 

5)         Development plans for transportation improvements that will help residents reach employment and make the community accessible to visitors;

 

6)         Detailed plans to address gaps in ability for families to easily access affordable fruits, vegetables, and produce;

 

7)         List of opportunities for cultural celebration, both for existing residents and visitors; and

 

8)         Plans to promote the district and its events to visitors in traditional and digital media.

 

b)         For each year after the initial reporting period that the district remains a State-designated cultural district, it shall submit a detailed report on the status of the program and future developments of the district.

 

c)         Any State-designated cultural district that fails to file a report for 2 consecutive years shall have their status as a cultural district terminated. [20 ILCS 605/605-1057(f)]