WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1967

DCEO-TOURISM GRANTS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Cristina Castro and 2 co-sponsors

SB1967 allows DCEO to advance 50% of a prior-year tourism grant to eligible bureaus each year, improving their cash flow if there is sufficient funding.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1967

Summary — SB1967 (DCEO — Tourism Grants)

Status: Passed General Assembly; signed by Governor 5/20/2025; effective 9/1/2025
Primary sponsors: Sen. Cristina Castro; cosponsors Sen. Sara Feigenholtz and Sen. Michael E. Hastings
Companion bills: HB 3915, HB 4460

Purpose / Intent

SB1967 amends Illinois law governing the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) grant program for local tourism and convention bureaus to provide an annual cash-flow advance: beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, DCEO must advance 50% of a bureau’s prior-year award to eligible, certified bureaus (subject to appropriation). The bill also adds a temporary emergency-rulemaking authorization to expedite implementation.

Key provisions

  • Statutory changes:
    • Adds Section 5-45.65 to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/5-45.65) authorizing DCEO to adopt emergency rules to implement this amendatory act. That emergency-rule authority is repealed one year after the act’s effective date.
    • Amends Section 605-705 of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law (20 ILCS 605/605-705; formerly 20 ILCS 605/46.6a).
  • Advance payments:
    • In FY2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, subject to sufficient appropriation, DCEO shall advance grant funds to certified tourism and convention bureaus that received grant funding in the prior fiscal year.
    • The advance amount equals 50% of the total grant awarded to that bureau in the prior fiscal year.
    • DCEO must submit vouchers for payment of the advanced amounts to the Comptroller on or before July 31 of each fiscal year.
  • Implementation authority:
    • DCEO may adopt emergency rules under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to implement the changes quickly.
  • Existing program elements retained:
    • Eligibility, distribution formulas (including allocations for large cities vs. remainder of the State), reserve authority (up to 3% for administration/promotional activities), and matching-fund requirements remain in the statute. The statute already schedules stepped matching ratios in prior fiscal years (notably requiring 40% matching funds in FY2026).

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: certified local tourism and convention bureaus that received DCEO grant funding in the prior fiscal year (units of local government or nonprofit bureaus meeting statutory certification criteria).
  • State agencies: DCEO (for administration and rulemaking) and the Comptroller (for processing vouchers).
  • Fiscal impact depends on legislative appropriations for the Local Tourism Fund; advances are conditioned on sufficient appropriation.

Timing / procedural notes

  • Law signed by Governor 5/20/2025; effective date recorded as 9/1/2025.
  • DCEO must submit vouchers by July 31 of each fiscal year for advance payments.
  • Emergency-rule authorization is time-limited (repealed one year after the act’s effective date) to allow rapid implementation.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Improves cash flow for eligible tourism bureaus by providing predictable mid-year funding (50% of prior-year award).
  • Requires budgeting by the General Assembly (advances are subject to appropriation) and timely voucher processing by DCEO/Comptroller.
  • Bureaus that did not receive funding in the prior year are not eligible for advances under this provision.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.