Section 217.100  Review of Grant Applications

a)         Those applications that are deemed complete by the application submission deadline by the Department will be sent to a Review Committee for the review of the grant applications.

b)         The Review Committee shall meet and review and evaluate the applications in accordance with the criteria listed in this Section, as applicable:

1)         The project has a reasonable assurance of enhancing the safety and security of anhydrous ammonia tanks and storage facilities in Illinois.

2)         The applicant demonstrates a personal commitment by providing a 33% applicant, 67% State contribution to the project. 

3)         An adequate and realistic budget has been projected.

4)         The application provides a brief history of the anhydrous ammonia facility and description of problems with anhydrous ammonia theft at the facility and previous attempts to stop the theft.

5)         Favorable community support for the project, including support from local law enforcement officials, exists.

6)         The application meets the eligibility requirements and the project costs are eligible under the Act.

7)         The applicant has established a need for the grant.

8)         Geographic location of project.  For FY07, the program will be limited to projects located in the counties specified in Section 217.80.  After that period, an expanded geographic area will be served, based on available funding.

9)         The proposal demonstrates that the applicant will install or utilize more than one type of safety or security device or measure that will result in providing multiple layers of security for ammonia storage tanks or nurse tanks at the facility.

c)         If an applicant has received a grant in previous grant cycles and the Department experienced any problems with the applicant's handling of the grant, the Review Committee may evaluate an application based upon the applicant's previous grant performance in the areas of:

1)         Accountability;

2)         Timeliness; and

3)         Effectiveness.

d)         After the Review Committee has completed evaluating each application, the Review Committee will submit its recommendations for awarding the grants to the Director.  The Director will determine whether an eligible applicant is awarded a grant, as outlined in Section 217.110.

e)         The Review Committee may also recommend to the Director that conditions be placed on certain grants, as deemed necessary by the Review Committee.