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.