SB4184 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 26337 HLH 36404 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB4184

Introduced 3/2/2022, by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new

Creates the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program for the purpose of providing direct relief to hotels impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides that Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall award a one-time grant to the operator of each hotel in the State in an amount equal to $1,500 for each room in the hotel. Sets forth the permitted uses for grant funds awarded under the Act. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides for emergency rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2022.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning finance.

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 Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program Act.

Section 5. Purpose and findings. In 2019, The hotel industry in the State of Illinois directly employed more than 60,000 people and generated $4,000,000,000 in State and local taxes. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in 3 hotel workers were laid off or furloughed, and hotels lost $3,600,000,000 in economic activity. Unlike other segments of the hospitality industry, the hotel industry has not received any direct hotel-specific support from the federal government. Funds awarded under this Act will be used by hotels to support their workforce and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The following terms shall have the meanings given to those terms in the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act: "hotel"; "operator"; and "room".

Section 15. Grant program. Subject to appropriation for this purpose, the Department shall establish the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program for the purpose of providing direct relief to hotels impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department shall award a one-time grant to the operator of each hotel in the State in an amount equal to $1,500 for each room in the hotel. Every hotel operating in the State shall be eligible for the grant. There shall be no maximum award for the grant.

Section 20. Use of funds. Any operator who receives grant funds under this Act shall use a minimum of 80% of the funds on payroll costs, including, but not limited to, wages, benefits, and healthcare. The remaining funds shall be used on any of the following costs related to the operator's hotels in the State: public safety upgrades; property taxes; mortgage payments; or any debts incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Section 25. Reporting. Within 12 months after receiving grant funds under this Act, the operator shall submit a written attestation to the Department acknowledging compliance with Section 20 of this Act.

Section 30. Rulemaking. The Department shall adopt emergency rules to administer the grant program.

Section 35. Repeal. This Act is repealed on December 31, 2024.

Section 900. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is amended by adding Section 5-45.21 as follows:

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new)

Sec. 5-45.21. Emergency rulemaking; Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program Act. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program Act, emergency rules implementing the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program Act may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

This Section is repealed one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2022.