37-1, 37-2, 37-3, 37-4, 37-5

A grant program for certified local tourism and convention bureaus to develop, coordinate and promote international tourism marketing efforts.

N/A

Section 605-707 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (International Tourism Program) [20 ILCS 605/605-707] authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to award grants to and work in cooperation with certified local tourism and convention bureaus to develop, coordinate and promote international tourism efforts.

14 IL 555

The intent of the program is to promote Illinois as a travel destination to the international leisure traveler. The International tourism program is important to the State of Illinois' tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destination drivers, to market and promote attractions and events throughout the State to international travelers to ultimately impact the economic growth of the tourism industry.

Yes

Program-Specific Terms and requirements were included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this grant opportunity.

Other;

Certified Local Tourism and Convention Bureau with an international product sold by tour operators and listed with receptive operators may apply for Program funding.

Certified local tourism and convention bureaus

Project Grants

Economic Development

Documentation verifying the applicant is an Illinois not-for-profit entity in good standing on the date of application with applicable State authorities, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois Department of Labor, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, or, if a unit of local government, a statement/resolution signed by the head of the unit of local government that the bureau represents.

This grant program follows pre-award procedures established by the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, except for: Allowance of Indirect Costs Applications for funding under this Program must be received no less than 60 days prior to the beginning of the Department's Fiscal Year or as otherwise determined by the Department. Within 30 business days after the Department receives the Application, the International Tourism Program Manager shall notify the Applicant whether, after a brief initial review, the Application and attachments, if any, are complete. This notice is not in any way an acknowledgment by the Department as to the adequacy of the substance of the Application. If the Application and attachments are incomplete, the Applicant shall be notified of the deficiencies. The Applicant will then have 20 business days to cure any deficiencies. In the event the Applicant fails to cure all deficiencies within the 20 business days, the Application shall be considered null and void and returned to the Applicant. Within 90 days from the date an Application is determined to be complete, the International Tourism Grant Program Manager shall notify the Applicant whether the Application has been approved or rejected. If the Application has been rejected, the program manager shall state the reasons for the determination.

Section 555.50 Form of Application a) All communications relating to the Application procedures defined in Section 555.60 shall be addressed to the International Tourism Grant Program Manager and sent to: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Office of Tourism, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 3-400, Chicago, Illinois 60601. b) An Application shall be typed in the current approved format provided by the Department, which shall be sent to an eligible Applicant upon request. c) An Application shall contain one original and 6 copies. d) An Application shall include supporting documents and attachments under a single cover. (Source: Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 3577, effective January 23, 2014)

Section 555.90 Evaluation and Selection Process a) The Department's internal review committee shall evaluate each Application. The criteria used in determining whether an Application will be considered for a grant award includes, but is not limited to, the potential to increase overnight stays in Illinois and/or demonstrate the potential to develop international marketing materials or efforts as described in Section 555.40. Each question will be scored using a rating system of 1 through 10, with 10 being the highest possible score per question, with a maximum possible score of 100.

Merit based review. Funds disbursed based variable advance and/or need

Deadlines determined based on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Determined when Notice of Funding Opportunity issued.

The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.

N/A

Each Grantee shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 50% of the Grant Amount. If Grantee fails to match any portion of the grant award in a given Fiscal Year, that portion of the grant shall be refunded to the Department in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement. In-kind contributions shall not exceed 25% of Matching Funds. c) Allowable Matching Funds include: 1) Local hotel/motel taxes; 2) Membership dues; 3) Interest earned on local monies and Grant Funds; 4) Cash contributions; 5) Federal dollars deposited directly to the Grantee for tourism promotion purposes that do not require a match; and 6) In-kind Contributions necessary to complete the Project. In-kind Contributions shall not exceed 25% of the match requirement. d) Ineligible Match: The following monies shall not be considered Matching Funds and may not be used as a match for Grant Funds: 1) Costs incurred or funds expended outside the grant term identified in the Grant Agreement unless those costs are approved by the Director as otherwise being compliant with this Part and consistent with the purposes of the Statute; 2) Funds from any other Department funded grant program, regardless of whether the other grant funds were awarded and expended to further the Project; 3) Funds used to match any other State and/or federal grants; 4) Penalties, fines, late payment fees or interest charges; and 5) Purchase of alcohol beverages. (Source: Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 3577, effective January 23, 2014)

The Department shall provide Grant Funds not to exceed 50% of the Total Project Cost. Expenditures and activities for which grant funds can be utilized by Grantees include, but are not limited to, brochures that target international markets, advertising, web site development and maintenance, in-country trade representations, familiarization tours, trade shows, sales missions, translation services, research, promotional items, technical assistance, training, association fees, travel expenses, and salaries for international program staff performing duties set forth in the Grant Agreement's scope of work. Ineligible Expenditures includes, but are not limited to, the purchase of equipment, administrative expenses, salaries not associated with international activities and the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

This grant program follows post-assistance procedures established by the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Annual Financial Reports: Grantee shall submit Annual Financial Reports within 180 days after the Grantee’s fiscal year ending on or after June 30. This deadline may be extended at the discretion of the Grantor. The Annual Financial Report must cover the same period the Audited Financial Report must cover the same period as the Grantee’s tax return. Annual Financial Reports must include an in relation to opinion from the report issuer on the Cost and Revenue schedules included in the Annual Financial Report. Annual Financial Reports shall follow a format prescribed by Grantor. In addition to the audit requirements per the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, a Grantee shall be responsible for securing an audit for any grant award exceeding $500,000. Additionally, an audit may be required when certain risk conditions exist, including, but not limited to, a negative compliance history and previous material audit findings. The audit shall be performed by an independent certified public accountant, licensed by the authority of the State of Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Public Accounting Act [225 ILCS 450]. The audit shall be conducted in accordance with current generally accepted auditing standards as contained in the most current publication entitled AICPA Professional Standards, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York NY 10036. The Department reserves the right to conduct special audits, including but not limited to an agency wide audit of grant funds expended under any of the Department's grant programs. A special audit shall be conducted during normal working hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) with at least 24 hours notice.

N/A

N/A

621-42025-4900-0000

FY24 $1,000,000 FY23 $0 FY22 $0 FY21 $0 FY20 $1,100,000

$10,000 (low) to $150,000 (High)

N/A

14 IL Admin Code 555

N/A

500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661

https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/014/01400555sections.html

N/A

International marketing and promotion activities

FY 2019 : $1,000,000
FY 2020 : $1,100,000
FY 2024 : $1,000,000