HB6956 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 19195 RAS 44930 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB6956

Introduced 02/09/04, by Rich Brauer

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 665/3	from Ch. 127, par. 200-23
20 ILCS 665/4	from Ch. 127, par. 200-24

Amends the Illinois Promotion Act. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to conduct a study concerning the feasibility of constructing a hotel or motel complex to be situated in Menard County near New Salem State Park or within the immediate area of Petersburg, Illinois; to prepare or consider possible plans for designs of the hotel or motel complex; to estimate the costs of the construction of the complex and to estimate the economic return generated from the complex; to consider possible sites for the complex; and to report its recommendations and findings to the General Assembly as soon as possible.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning commerce.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Promotion Act is amended by changing Sections 3 and 4 as follows:

(20 ILCS 665/3) (from Ch. 127, par. 200-23)

Sec. 3. Definitions. The following words and terms, whenever used or referred to in this Act, shall have the following meanings, except where the context may otherwise require:

(a) "Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Community Affairs of the State of Illinois.

(b) "Local promotion group" means any non-profit corporation, organization, association, agency or committee thereof formed for the primary purpose of publicizing, promoting, advertising or otherwise encouraging the development of tourism in any municipality, county, or region of Illinois.

(c) "Promotional activities" means preparing, planning and conducting feasibility studies, campaigns of information, advertising and publicity through such media as newspapers, radio, television, magazines, trade journals, moving and still photography, posters, outdoor signboards and personal contact within and without the State of Illinois; dissemination of information, advertising, publicity, photographs and other literature and material designed to carry out the purpose of this Act; and participation in and attendance at meetings and conventions concerned primarily with tourism, including travel to and from such meetings.

(d) "Municipality" means "municipality" as defined in Section 1-1-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code, as heretofore and hereafter amended.

(e) "Tourism" means travel 50 miles or more one-way or an overnight trip outside of a person's normal routine.

(Source: P.A. 92-38, eff. 6-28-01; revised 12-6-03.)

(20 ILCS 665/4) (from Ch. 127, par. 200-24)

Sec. 4. Powers. The Department shall have the following powers:

(a) To formulate a program for the promotion of tourism and the film industry in the State of Illinois, including, but not limited to, the promotion of our State Parks, fishing and hunting areas, historical shrines, vacation regions and areas of historic or scenic interest.

(b) To cooperate with civic groups and local, State and federal departments and agencies, and agencies and departments of other states in encouraging educational tourism and developing programs therefor.

(c) To publish tourist promotional material such as brochures and booklets.

(d) To promote tourism in Illinois through all media, including but not limited to, the Internet, television, articles and advertisements in magazines, newspapers and travel publications and by establishing promotional exhibitions at fairs, travel shows, and similar exhibitions.

(e) To establish and maintain travel offices at major points of entry to the State.

(f) To recommend legislation relating to the encouragement of tourism in Illinois.

(g) To assist municipalities or local promotion groups in developing new tourist attractions including but not limited to feasibility studies and analyses, research and development, and management and marketing planning for such new tourist attractions.

(h) (Blank).

(i) To implement a program of matching grants and loans to counties, municipalities, local promotion groups and others, as provided in Sections 5 and 8a of this Act, for the development or improvement of tourism attractions and tourism events in Illinois under the terms and conditions provided in this Act.

(j) To expend funds from the International and Promotional Fund, subject to appropriation, on any activity authorized under this Act.

(k) To do any other acts that, in the judgment of the Department, are necessary and proper in fostering and promoting tourism in the State of Illinois.

(l) To conduct a study concerning the feasibility of constructing a hotel or motel complex to be situated in Menard County near New Salem State Park or within the immediate area of Petersburg, Illinois; to prepare or consider possible plans for designs of the hotel or motel complex; to estimate the costs of the construction of the complex and to estimate the economic return generated from the complex; to consider possible sites for the complex; and to report its recommendations and findings to the General Assembly as soon as possible.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 92-38, eff. 6-28-01.)