Grants to counties, municipalities, units of local government, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups and for-profit businesses for the development or improvement of tourism attractions and festivals in Illinois.

N/A

20 ILCS 665/1, Section 8a(2) of the Illinois Promotion Act

N/A

To assist the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality industries in recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Yes

"Attractions Component: Project Site - Grantee is required to display a sign at the project site stating the following and clearly identifies that ""This project was partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism."" If the Grantee fails to appropriately identify the Department's participation in the grant project, this failure may be taken into consideration on any of the Grantee's future grant application(s). Festivals/Events Component: Grantor Recognition. All projects funded through this Agreement shall include that the festival/event is being sponsored by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism; and, shall incorporate the current logo and/or statement and shall identify the project as being developed in cooperation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism. Grantee must follow specific instructions for logo usage that can be located on the website at https://media.enjoyillinois.com/brand-guidelines/."

Government Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Other;

An entity must be pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, www.grants.illinois.gov/portal at the time of grant application. And, meet all criteria specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Applicant Eligibility: Units of local government, counties, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups and for-profit businesses for the development or improvement of tourism attractions and festivals/events located in Illinois. Beneficiary Eligibility: Tourism, travel, and hospitality industries; along with local businesses/entities that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

N/A

Project Grants

Economic Development

N/A

"Pre-award requirements must be met. A standard application package must be submitted and reviewed by the Department. Each package should contain the following items: 1. Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) 2. Uniform Capital Budget utilizing the template provided by DCEO for this project. The entire budget with all worksheets included even if the worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity must be submitted with the application materials. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) 3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure 4. Mandatory Disclosures 5. Program Specific Application/Narrative 6. Advance Budget Form" Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Each application will be scored on a 100-point scale; with a minimum of 60 points required to be considered for funding. The Department shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Capacity, Quality and Need. The Department’s internal review committee shall conduct an evaluation of each application.

"Pre-award requirements must be met. A standard application package must be submitted and reviewed by the Department. Each package should contain the following items: 1. Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) 2. Uniform Capital Budget utilizing the template provided by DCEO for this project. The entire budget with all worksheets included even if the worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity must be submitted with the application materials. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) 3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure 4. Mandatory Disclosures 5. Program Specific Application/Narrative 6. Advance Budget Form" Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Each application will be scored on a 100-point scale; with a minimum of 60 points required to be considered for funding. The Department shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Capacity, Quality and Need. The Department’s internal review committee shall conduct an evaluation of each application.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Grants will be one-year term; however, the possibility to extend the ending date does exist.

Matching funds are fluid. Grant range: $10,000 - $1,000,000

"Expenditures and activities for which grant funds can be utilized by Grantees include, but are not limited to, the following for Tourism Attractions: 1) Capital projects – land and building acquisition, construction and renovation of buildings for the purpose of creating or enhancing a Tourism Attraction; 2) Equipment – purchase and installation of machinery and equipment designed to create or enhance the Tourism Attraction; 3) Training – development and presentation of hospitality, quality service and/or other types of tourism training programs intended to provide a competitive workforce for the tourism industry of Illinois; and, 4) Interpretive Programs – creation, implementation and staffing of, and fabrication of exhibits for, interpretive programs located within historic/cultural sites. For Festivals/Events, expenditures and activities for which grant funds can be utilized by Grantees include, but are not limited to: 1) Transportation & Housing; 2) Prize/Award money; 3) Building or equipment rental; 4)Receptions/banquets; 5) Entertainment/programming; 6) Photography 7) Audio Visual equipment; and 8) Temporary staff for the festival/event Ineligible projects and activities for Tourism Attractions include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) Studies (feasibility, research, development, marketing, etc.); 2) Debt refinancing; 3) Contingency funding; 4) Normal payroll or operating expenses; 5) Administrative expenses; 6) Purchase of alcoholic beverages, Ineligible projects and activities for Tourism Festivals/Events include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) Debt refinancing; 2) Contingency funding; 3) Normal payroll or operating expenses; 4) Administrative expenses; 5) Purchase of equipment; and, 6) Purchase of alcoholic beverages"

The executed grant agreement will detail the reporting schedule the Grantee must follow. Grantee will be required to adhere to all records retention requirements outlined in the executed grant agreement.

N/A

N/A

Various

Various

Various

N/A

N/A

N/A

500 East Monroe, Springfield IL 62701

N/A

N/A

N/A

10/19/2021

FY 2022 : $10,000,000