Section 1523.140  Ecosystem Vision Plan, Project, and Support Grant Execution and Reimbursement

Payment of grant funds will be on a reimbursement basis.  However, upon a determination the applicant is prepared to carry out the conditions of the grant, the Department may approve the advancement of grant dollars.  No work is to begin until a grant agreement has been fully executed between the applicant and the Department, or written authority to proceed is given by the Department.  Work begun before the date of execution of the grant agreement is not reimbursable.

a)         With the Department's written approval, expenditures made by the applicant in support of an awarded project and made after the date of the press release announcing the award, but before the execution of a grant agreement, may be counted toward the required match.  Should the applicant fail to expend the identified match dollars, the Department may prorate reimbursement of grant funds.  To initiate a payment under the grant agreement, whether it be an advance payment, interim payment, or final payment, it must be requested through the Ecosystem Administrator appointed to each Ecosystem Partnership.

b)         For approval of an advance payment the applicant must provide evidence of its capacity to begin implementation of a project.  For reimbursement payments for completed work, beyond any advance payment and up to and including final payment, evidence of progress toward project completion as outlined in the grant agreement,  documentation of the expenditure of the match share, and documentation of actual project expenditures must accompany all requests for reimbursement. Reimbursements for travel, lodging, and/or per diem shall not be above prevailing State rates set by the Governor's Travel Control Board.  Upon signature of the reimbursement request by the Ecosystem Administrator, the reimbursement request and all supporting documentation must be forwarded to the Ecosystems Division at the contact address provided in Section 1523.170.  If the supporting documentation is in order, the Department will process the required instrument to initiate payment.  For final payment on a completed project, a final report must be received and approved by the Ecosystem Administrator and Conservation 2000 Administrator.  The final report shall contain details of the methods used to fulfill the grant agreement and documentation of completion of the project in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement.

(Source:  Amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)