Section 260.210  Rehabilitation Claims

a)         Rehabilitation claims may include the cost of land purchase, both materials and labor expended for rehabilitation of the fairgrounds, its buildings, facilities and for construction projects.  Maintenance and/or repair projects shall include improvements made for the purpose of restoring and/or maintaining the fairgrounds, buildings and facilities for long term uses.

b)         The purchases of tractors, drags, water wagons and other equipment used to maintain or repair the track, show arenas, and the grounds or buildings are eligible for rehabilitation reimbursement.  The Department of Agriculture shall reimburse fair associations for equipment that is necessary for the maintenance and repair of projects, except computer equipment, that have received rehabilitation reimbursement.  Any repairs to this equipment shall also be reimbursed.  The reimbursement rate for the total of all above expenses shall be 100% of the first $5,000, 75% of the next $20,000, and 50% of the next $20,000 (example: spend $45,000 − receive $30,000 per fiscal year).  Equipment purchased with rehabilitation funds shall remain on the fairgrounds at all times.  When a fair association or agricultural society disposes of any equipment, it shall maintain disposal records for a period of five years.  If, during an inspection by a Department of Agriculture inspector, the equipment is not found on the fairgrounds and there are no disposal records for the equipment, the Bureau shall send written notice that repayment is due and the fair association or agricultural society shall repay to the State Treasury within 30 days from receipt of the notice that portion of rehabilitation funds spent on the purchase of the equipment that was not found on the fairgrounds, regardless of the fiscal year in which the equipment was purchased.

c)         Premiums paid for general liability and casualty insurance are eligible for rehabilitation reimbursement.  Premiums for personal liability insurance are not eligible for rehabilitation reimbursement.

d)         On rehabilitation projects, a fair association or agricultural society shall adhere to the Illinois Procurement Code [30 ILCS 500].

e)         Itemized bills, receipts and/or copies of cancelled checks for rehabilitation projects must be submitted or postmarked by June 30 in the fiscal year for which the projects are to be reimbursed.

f)         The amount carried over shall constitute a claim for reimbursement for a subsequent period not to exceed seven years as long as funds are available [30 ILCS 120/13].

(Source:  Amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 11091, effective July 23, 2004)