SB2329eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2329 Engrossed LRB095 19634 BDD 45976 b

AN ACT concerning tourism.

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 Tourism Task Force Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly makes the following findings:

(1) The Illinois tourism industry is a major component of the economy of Illinois and a vital aspect of employment in many areas of the State of Illinois.

(2) Illinois historic attractions throughout the State bring tourists from around the world to Illinois cities, towns, and villages.

(3) Tourism brings visitors to the State of Illinois, generating money, jobs, and tax revenue for both State and local governments.

Section 10. Tourism Task Force. There is created a Tourism Task Force to provide insight on how to create the best infrastructure for the development of tourism as an economic development tool in Illinois utilizing all pertinent State agencies and the private sector. This task force shall consist of 19 voting members as follows:

(1) One person appointed by the Governor to serve as chair of the Task Force.

(2) One member appointed by the President of the Senate.

(3) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(4) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(5) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House.

(6) One member appointed by the Governor representing the Illinois lodging industry.

(7) One member appointed by the Governor representing the Illinois restaurant, catering, and food service industries.

(8) One member appointed by the Governor representing Illinois convention and visitor bureaus.

(9) One member appointed by the Governor representing Illinois wine making and wineries.

(10) One member appointed by the Governor representing tourism brochure publication, distribution, and marketing.

(11) One member appointed by the Governor representing the riverboat gaming industry.

(12) One member appointed by the Governor representing Illinois park districts.

(13) One member appointed by the Governor representing the agri-tourism industry.

(14) One member appointed by the Governor representing the bed and breakfast industry.

(15) One member appointed by the Governor representing Illinois campgrounds.

(16) One member appointed by the Governor representing statewide commercial tourism marketing.

(17) One member appointed by the Governor representing regional tourism development organizations.

(18) One member appointed by the Governor representing commercial-themed family attractions in Illinois.

(19) One member appointed by the Governor representing the commercial motorcoach industry.

In addition, the following officials or their designees shall serve as ex-officio members of the task force: (i) the Director of Commerce and Economic Affairs; (ii) the Director of Natural Resources; (iii) the Secretary of Transportation; (iv) the Director of Historic Sites and Preservation; (v) the Director of Agriculture; (vi) the Director of Public Health; (vii) the Director of State Police; (viii) the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; (ix) the Secretary of State; (x) the Lieutenant Governor; and (xi) the Chairman of the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority.

The voting members of the task force shall serve for a term of 2 years, except that, of the initial members, 9 members appointed by the Governor, not including the Chairperson, shall serve for a term ending one year after the appointment of a majority of the voting members and the remaining 9 members of the task force shall serve for a term ending 2 years after the appointment of a majority of the voting members.

The task force may begin to conduct business upon the appointment of a majority of the voting members. Members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their expenses.

Section 15. Duties of the task force. The duties of the task force shall include all the following:

(1) Reviewing and cataloging all policies, programs, procedures, and initiatives in all departments, agencies, bureaus, and commissions of Illinois government that impact the Illinois tourism product.

(2) Giving recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor on how to expand, reduce, consolidate, coordinate, or create programs that will aid the people of Illinois and, as a result, increase revenue from the renewable resource of tourism and economic development.

(3) Continuing to review all programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives of the departments, agencies, bureaus, and commissions to determine whether recommendations and resulting legislation are achieving the desired positive economic development effect and making new recommendations as necessary.

(4) Filing an annual report with the General Assembly with the findings and recommendations of the task force.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.