HB4159 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 34313 AWJ 64141 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4159

Introduced , by Rep. Kimberly du Buclet

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/1110 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Commission on Tourism to develop a statewide travel and tourism strategy. Identifies the members of the Commission. Sets out requirements for the statewide travel and tourism strategy and meetings of the Commission. Requires the Commission to file a statewide travel and tourism strategy with the Governor and General Assembly by no later than 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act and by no later than January 1 of each year thereafter. Specifies that members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. Directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide administrative and other support to the Commission.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 1110 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/1110 new)

Sec. 1110. Commission on Tourism.

(a) A Commission on Tourism is hereby established to develop the statewide travel and tourism strategy described in subsection (c).

(b) The Commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Director's designee, who shall serve as a cochair of the Commission;

(2) the Director of Natural Resources or the Director's designee, who shall serve as a cochair of the Commission;

(3) the Director of Revenue or the Director's designee;

(4) the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary's designee;

(5) the Director of Agriculture or the Director's designee;

(6) the Director of Public Health or the Director's designee;

(7) the Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority or the Chief Executive Officer's designee;

(8) the Director of Employment Security or the Director's designee;

(9) the Chairperson of the Illinois Gaming Board or the Chairperson's designee;

(10) the Executive Director of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion or the Executive Director's designee; and

(11) the Chairman of the Illinois Arts Council or the Chairman's designee.

An individual designated under this subsection must be a senior-level official.

(c) The Commission shall develop a statewide travel and tourism strategy with recommendations for new policies and initiatives to promote domestic and international travel opportunities throughout Illinois with the goal of increasing the Illinois market share of international and interstate travel. The recommendations shall include, but shall not be limited to, strategies to promote visits to Illinois public lands, waters, shores, monuments, and other iconic destinations with the goal of expanding job creation in Illinois. The Commission shall also consider recommendations to include in the statewide travel and tourism strategy to promote and expand travel and tourism opportunities in rural communities. In addition, the statewide travel and tourism strategy shall identify any opportunities to promote growth, including, but not limited to, fiscal policy, job training, and public-private partnerships.

(d) The Commission shall meet at least once per year. Meetings may be called by one or both of the Commission's cochairs.

(e) The Commission shall file a statewide travel and tourism strategy with the Governor and General Assembly by no later than 180 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly and by no later than every January 1 thereafter.

(f) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

(g) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission.