Public Act 0388 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4053 Enrolled LRB094 11458 JAM 42385 b

Public Act 094-0388

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Global Partnership Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Board" means the board of directors of Illinois Global Partnership, Inc.

"IGP" or "Partnership" means Illinois Global Partnership, Inc., the not-for-profit entity incorporated as provided in this Act.

Section 10. Findings; purpose. The General Assembly finds that it is important to encourage international business developments for Illinois companies and to encourage international tourism in Illinois by creating partnerships that open markets, by accessing customers, and by facilitating transactions. Therefore, the purpose of the Illinois Global Partnership, Inc., is to build Illinois' profile as a region prepared to do business with the world and as a world tourism destination. The Partnership shall encourage international business development for Illinois companies and international tourism by affecting policy and creating partnerships that open markets, access customers, and facilitate transactions.

Section 15. Partnership established. A not-for-profit corporation to be known as "Illinois Global Partnership, Inc." is created. IGP shall be incorporated under the General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986 and shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with the laws of this State. IGP shall not be a State agency. The General Assembly determines, however, that public policy dictates that IGP operate in the most open and accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. To this end, the General Assembly specifically declares that IGP and its board and advisory committee shall adopt and adhere to the provisions of the State Records Act, the Open Meetings Act, and the Freedom of Information Act.

IGP shall establish one or more corporate offices, at least one of which shall be located in Sangamon County.

Section 20. Board of directors. IGP shall be governed by a board of directors. The IGP board of directors shall consist of 14 members. Five of the members shall be voting members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor, the Director of Agriculture, the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Chairperson of the Illinois Arts Council, and the Director of the Illinois Finance Authority, or the designee of each, shall be non-voting ex officio members.

Of the members appointed by the Governor, one member must have a background in agriculture, one member must have a background in manufacturing, and one member must have a background in international business relations.

Of the initial members appointed by the Governor, 3 members shall serve 4-year terms and 2 members shall serve 2-year terms as designated by the Governor. Thereafter, members appointed by the Governor shall serve 4-year terms. A vacancy among members appointed by the Governor shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder of the vacated term.

Members of the board shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The Governor shall designate the chairman of the board until a successor is designated. The board shall meet at the call of the chair.

No less than 90 days after a majority of the members of the board of directors of the IGP is appointed by the Governor, the board shall develop a policy adopted by resolution of the board stating the board's plan for the use of services provided by businesses owned by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities, as defined under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act. The board shall provide a copy of this resolution to the Governor and the General Assembly upon its adoption.

On December 31 of each year, the board shall report to the General Assembly and the Governor regarding the use of services provided by businesses owned by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities, as defined under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

Section 25. Powers of IGP. IGP has the power to:

(1) Host monthly leadership forums to give small groups of top business leaders the ability to interact with top federal, State, and local governmental officials.

(2) Manage trips to Washington, D.C., for key business leaders, giving this group exposure to top policy makers in the federal administration and Congress.

(3) Manage trips to the State for members of Congress and their staffs, giving this group exposure to Illinois businesses, research facilities, and other statewide highlights.

(4) Host monthly trade missions from international companies, introducing these influential travelers to key leaders at Illinois businesses for the expressed purpose of building partnerships with suppliers and customers.

(5) Manage trips to other states and foreign countries for Illinois business leaders to give them and their respective companies exposure to new and expanding markets.

(6) Manage meetings with prospective partners to discuss products, markets, pricing, and other elements of the transaction.

(7) Attract international participation in high profile Illinois projects.

(8) Make recommendations to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly concerning the role the State performs in international business development.

(9) Assist Illinois businesses to engage in, expand, and increase foreign trade.

(10) Establish or co-sponsor mentoring conferences, using experienced manufacturing exporters, to explain and provide information to prospective export manufacturers and businesses concerning the process of exporting to both domestic and international opportunities.

(11) Provide technical assistance to prospective export manufacturers and businesses seeking to establish domestic and international export opportunities.

(12) Coordinate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Small Business Development Centers to link buyers with prospective export manufacturers and businesses.

(13) Promote, both domestically and abroad, products made in Illinois in order to inform consumers and buyers of their high quality standards and craftsmanship.

(14) Develop an electronic data base to compile information on international trade and investment activities in Illinois companies, provide access to research and business opportunities through external data bases, and connect this data base through international communication systems with appropriate domestic and worldwide networks users.

(15) Collect and distribute to foreign commercial libraries directories, catalogs, brochures, and other information of value to foreign businesses considering doing business in this State.

(16) Establish an export finance awareness program to provide information to banking organizations about methods used by banks to provide financing for businesses engaged in exporting and about other State and federal programs to promote and expedite export financing.

(17) Undertake a survey of Illinois' businesses to identify exportable products and the businesses interested in exporting.

(18) In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, (i) provide assistance to those manufacturing and service companies that desire to export agricultural machinery, implements, equipment, other manufactured products, and professional services; (ii) encourage Illinois companies to initiate exporting or increase their export sales of agricultural and manufactured products; (iii) cooperate with agencies and instrumentalities of the federal government in trade development activities in overseas markets; (iv) conduct the necessary research within Illinois and in overseas markets in order to assist exporting companies; (v) promote the State of Illinois as a source of agricultural and manufactured products through information and promotion campaigns overseas; and (vi) conduct an information program for foreign buyers of Illinois agricultural and manufactured products.

(19) In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, establish overseas offices for (i) the promotion of the export of Illinois agricultural and manufactured products; (ii) representation of Illinois seaports; (iii) economic development; and (iv) tourism promotion and services.

(20) Charge fees for and recover the costs of its services.

(21) Participate in the authority and responsibility of the State's international tourism programs, initiatives, undertakings, and efforts. IGP and its board may exercise their powers and shall perform their duties in accordance with the fulfillment of IGP's responsibility for international tourism.

(22) Assume from the Department of Agriculture on July 1, 2005, all contractual personnel, books, records, papers, documents, property both real and personal, and pending business in any way pertaining to the international functions of the Bureau of Marketing.

Section 30. Powers of the board of directors. The board of directors shall have the power to:

(1) Secure funding for programs and activities of IGP from federal, State, local, and private sources and from fees charged for services and published materials; solicit, receive, hold, invest, and administer any grant, payment, or gift of funds or property; and make expenditures consistent with the powers granted to it.

(2) Make and enter into contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions.

(3) Sue and be sued, and appear and defend in all actions and proceedings, in its corporate name to the same extent as a natural person.

(4) Adopt, use, and alter a common corporate seal for IGP.

(5) Elect or appoint officers and agents as its affairs require and allow them reasonable compensation.

(6) Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, not inconsistent with the powers granted to it or the articles of incorporation, for the administration of the affairs of IGP and the exercise of its corporate powers.

(7) Acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents, copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses, royalties, and other rights or interests thereunder or therein.

(8) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted to it.

Section 35. President. The board shall appoint a President, who is the chief executive officer of the board and of IGP. In addition to any other duties set forth in this Act, the President shall do the following:

(1) Direct and supervise the administrative affairs and activities of the board and of IGP, in accordance with the board's rules and policies.

(2) Attend meetings of the board.

(3) Keep minutes of all proceedings of the board.

(4) Approve all accounts for salaries, per diem payments, and allowable expenses of the board and IGP employees and consultants and approve all expenses incidental to the operation of the board and IGP.

(5) Report and make recommendations to the board on the merits and status of any proposed facility.

(6) Perform any other duty that the board requires for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Section 40. Advisory committee. An advisory committee is established for the benefit of IGP and its board of directors in the performance of their powers, duties, and functions under this Act. The board shall provide for the number, qualifications, and appointment of members of the advisory committee.

Section 45. Employees. The Department of Agriculture may establish a lease agreement program under which IGP may hire any individual who, as of July 1, 2005, is employed by the Department of Agriculture or who, as of July 1, 2005, is employed by the Office of the Governor and has responsibilities specifically in support of an international trade or tourism program. Under the agreement, the employee shall retain his or her status as a State employee but shall work under the direct supervision of IGP. Retention of State employee status shall include the right to participate in the State Employees Retirement System. The Department of Central Management Services shall establish the terms and conditions of the lease agreements.

Section 50. Finances; audits; annual report.

(a) IGP may accept funds, grants, gifts, and services from the government of the United States or its agencies, from this State or its departments, agencies, or instrumentalities, from any other governmental unit, and from private and civic sources for the purpose of funding any projects authorized by this Act. IGP may receive appropriations.

(b) Services of personnel, use of equipment and office space, and other necessary services may be accepted from members of the board as part of IGP's financial support.

(c) State funds appropriated for the operations and functions of IGP for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter should not exceed 60% of IGP's funding from all sources for the fiscal year.

(d) The board shall arrange for the annual financial audit of IGP by one or more independent certified public accountants in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The annual audit results shall be included in the annual report required under subsection (e).

(e) IGP shall report annually on its activities and finances to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly.

Section 55. Agriculture marketing. IGP has authority and responsibility with respect to:

(1) Marketing and promotion of Illinois agricultural products.

(2) Consulting services and marketing information for Illinois agribusinesses.

(3) Representing Illinois at trade shows and seminars related to the State's agricultural exporting capabilities.

Section 60. Other State programs. State executive branch agencies may consult with IGP before continuing or undertaking any international marketing program or programs authorized by law as of or after the effective date of this Act.

Section 90. Authority of DCEO. Nothing in this Act shall diminish the authority of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with respect to the Bureau of Tourism and the overseas offices of the Office of Trade and Investment.

Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2005.