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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In recent fiscal years, grants to various entities
3throughout the State have been closely examined for their
4efficiency and usage of State funding; and
 
5    WHEREAS, On March 1, 2011, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
6received a grant of $5 million for a portion of the overall
7costs necessary to purchase both the Central Plant and the
8North Plant of the former Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. Steel
9Plant for the creation of a film studio; and
 
10    WHEREAS, On March l, 2012, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
11received a grant of $1.3 million for the funding of energy
12efficiency measures that include, but are not limited to, steam
13boiler, pumps, and lighting to be installed at its facility in
14Chicago; and
 
15    WHEREAS, On March 1, 2012, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
16received a grant of $1 million for a portion of the overall
17costs necessary to purchase the South Plant of the former
18Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. Steel Plant for the creation of a
19film studio; and
 
20    WHEREAS, On August 1, 2013, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
21received a grant of $10 million to go toward costs associated

 

 

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1with the purchase of a commercial property located at 1420
2South Rockwell Street in Chicago, which is adjacent to the
3previously purchased properties, and to reimburse the grantee
4for prior incurred costs associated with construction and
5renovation activities conducted during 2012 and 2013 at the
6previously purchased "Central Plant", "North Plant", and
7"South Plant"; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios returned a $10
9million grant after significant concerns were raised; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Many questions exist surrounding the timing and
11utilization of the multiple State grants that Cinespace Chicago
12Film Studios has accepted; and
 
13    WHEREAS, It is the duty of the leaders of this State to
14guarantee that State grants are being utilized in a way that
15benefits Illinois and that they are used for the purpose that
16they were originally granted; and
 
17    WHEREAS, $17.3 million in grants have been given to
18Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, and there have been significant
19concerns about large grants dispersed to the Studio; therefore,
20be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL

 

 

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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Office of the
2Auditor General is directed to conduct a performance audit of
3all State grant funds appropriated to Cinespace Chicago Film
4Studios from the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we urge Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and
6any other organization or agency relevant to this audit to
7provide the Office of the Auditor General with all information
8that may be necessary to the completion of this audit; and be
9it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That the Office of the Auditor General commence
11this audit as soon as practical and report its findings and
12recommendations upon completion, in accordance with the
13provisions of Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act;
14and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16delivered to the Office of the Auditor General.