SB1833 EngrossedLRB102 16583 RJF 21980 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic
5Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois
6is amended by adding Section 605-1055 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 605/605-1055 new)
8    Sec. 605-1055. State-designated cultural districts.
9    (a) As used in this Section, "State-designated cultural
10district" means a geographical area certified under this
11Section that has a distinct, historic, and cultural identity
12that does any of the following:
13        (1) Promotes a distinct historic and cultural
14    community.
15        (2) Encourages economic development and supports
16    entrepreneurship in the geographic area and community.
17        (3) Encourages the preservation and development of
18    historic and culturally significant structures,
19    traditions, and languages.
20        (4) Fosters local cultural development and education.
21        (5) Provides a focal point for celebrating and
22    strengthening the unique cultural identity of the
23    community.

 

 

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1        (6) Promotes growth and opportunity without generating
2    displacement or expanding inequality.
3    (b) Administrative authority. The Department of Commerce
4and Economic Opportunity shall establish criteria and
5guidelines for State-designated cultural districts by rule in
6accordance with qualifying criteria outlined in subsection
7(c). In executing its powers and duties under this Section,
8the Department shall:
9        (1) establish a competitive application system by
10    which a community may apply for certification as a
11    State-designated cultural district;
12        (2) provide technical assistance for State-designated
13    cultural districts in identifying and achieving their
14    goals for cultural preservation, including, but not
15    limited to, promotional support of State-designated
16    cultural districts;
17        (3) collaborate with other State agencies, units of
18    local government, community organizations, and private
19    entities to maximize the benefits of State-designated
20    cultural districts; and
21        (4) establish an advisory committee to advise the
22    Department on program rules and the certification process.
23    The advisory committee must include:
24            (A) a representative of the Department appointed
25        by the Director;
26            (B) a representative of the Department of

 

 

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1        Agriculture appointed by the Director of Agriculture;
2            (C) a representative of the Illinois Housing
3        Development Authority appointed by the Executive
4        Director of the Illinois Housing Development
5        Authority;
6            (D) a representative of the Illinois Office of
7        Tourism appointed by the Director;
8            (E) a Latino Caucus member of the House of
9        Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House
10        of Representatives;
11            (F) a Black Caucus member of the House of
12        Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House
13        of Representatives;
14            (G) a Latino Caucus member of the Senate appointed
15        by the President of the Senate;
16            (H) a Black Caucus member of the Senate appointed
17        by the Senate President; and
18            (I) four community representatives appointed by
19        the Governor representing diverse racial, ethnic, and
20        geographic groups not captured in the membership of
21        the other designees, with the input of community and
22        stakeholder groups.
23    (c) Certification. A geographical area within the State
24may be certified as a State-designated cultural district by
25applying to the Department for certification. Certification as
26a State-designated cultural district shall be for a period of

 

 

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110 years, after which the district may renew certification
2every 5 years. A municipality or 501(c)(3) organization may
3apply for certification on behalf of a geographic area. The
4applying entity is responsible for complying with reporting
5requirements under subsection (d). The Department shall
6develop criteria to assess whether an applicant qualifies for
7certification under this Section. That criteria must include a
8demonstration that the applicant and the community:
9        (1) have been historically impacted and are currently
10    at risk of losing their cultural identity because of
11    gentrification, displacement, or the COVID-19 pandemic;
12        (2) can demonstrate a history of economic
13    disinvestment;
14        (3) can demonstrate strong community support for the
15    cultural district designation through active and formal
16    participation by community organizations and municipal and
17    regional government agencies or officials;
18        (4) have development plans that include and prioritize
19    the preservation of local businesses and retention of
20    existing residents and businesses; and
21        (5) have an education framework in place informed with
22    a vision of food justice, social justice, community
23    sustainability, and social equity.
24    (d) Within 12 months after being designated a cultural
25district, the State-designated cultural district shall submit
26a report to the Department detailing its current programs and

 

 

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1goals for the next 4 years of its designation. For each year
2thereafter that the district remains a State-designated
3cultural district, it shall submit a report to the Department
4on the status of the program and future developments of the
5district.