2018 Illinois Compiled Statutes
Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH
20 ILCS 720/ - Illinois Main Street Act.

(20 ILCS 720/1)
Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Main Street Act.
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/5)
Sec. 5. Legislative purpose. The General Assembly makes the following findings:
(1) The continued economic vitality of downtown and

neighborhood commercial districts in our municipalities is essential to community preservation, social cohesion, and economic growth.

(2) Municipalities need to maintain their local

economies so that business owners will be able to provide goods and services to the community, to provide employment opportunities, to avoid disinvestment and economic dislocations, and to develop and sustain downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs to address these problems.

(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/10)
Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
"Director" means the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
"Program" means the Illinois Main Street Program.
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/15)
Sec. 15. Illinois Main Street Program. The Illinois Main Street Program is created within the Department. In order to implement the Illinois Main Street Program, the Department shall do all of the following:
(1) Provide assistance to municipalities designated

as Main Street Communities, municipalities interested in becoming designated through the program, and businesses, property owners, organizations, and municipalities undertaking a comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization initiative and management strategy. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, initial site evaluations and assessments, training for local programs, training for local program staff, site visits and assessments by technical specialists, local program design assistance and evaluation, and continued local program on-site assistance.

(2) To the extent funds are made available, provide

financial assistance to municipalities or local organizations to assist in initial downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program specialized training, specific project feasibility studies, market studies, and design assistance.

(3) Operate the Illinois Main Street Program in

accordance with the plan developed by the Department.

(4) Consider other factors the Department deems

necessary for the implementation of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/20)
Sec. 20. Main Street Community designation.
(a) The Department shall adopt criteria for the designation of a Main Street Community. In establishing the criteria, the Department shall consider all of the following:
(1) The degree of interest and commitment to

comprehensive downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization and, where applicable, historic preservation by both the public and private sectors.

(2) The evidence of potential private sector

investment in the downtown or neighborhood commercial district.

(3) Where applicable, a downtown or neighborhood

commercial district with sufficient historic fabric to become a foundation for an enhanced community image.

(4) The capacity of the organization to undertake a

comprehensive program and the financial commitment to implement a long-term downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program that includes a commitment to employ a professional program manager.

(5) The National Main Street Center's criteria for

designating official main street municipalities.

(6) Other factors the Department deems necessary for

the designation of a local program.

(b) Illinois Main Street shall designate local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization programs and official local main street programs.
(c) The Department must approve all local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program boundaries. The boundaries of a local downtown or neighborhood commercial district revitalization program are typically defined using the pedestrian core of a traditional commercial district.
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/25)
Sec. 25. Illinois Main Street Plan. The Department shall, in consultation with the Lieutenant Governor, develop a plan for the Illinois Main Street Program. The plan shall describe:
(1) the objectives and strategies of the Illinois

Main Street Program;

(2) how the Illinois Main Street Program will be

coordinated with existing federal, state, local, and private sector business development and historic preservation efforts;

(3) the means by which private investment will be

solicited and employed;

(4) the methods of selecting and providing assistance

to participating local programs; and

(5) a means to solicit private contributions for

State and local operations of the Illinois Main Street Program.

(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/30)
Sec. 30. Role of the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor shall be the Ambassador of the Illinois Main Street Program. The Department shall advise and consult with the Lieutenant Governor on the activities of the Illinois Main Street Program. The Lieutenant Governor, with the assistance of the Department, shall promote and encourage the success of the Illinois Main Street Program.
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/35)
Sec. 35. Illinois Main Street Fund. The Illinois Main Street Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All receipts from private contributions, federal funds, legislative appropriations, and fees for services, if levied, must be deposited into the Fund. Subject to appropriation, expenditures from the Fund may be used only for the benefit of the Illinois Main Street Program.
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)

(20 ILCS 720/90)
Sec. 90. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11; text omitted.)

(20 ILCS 720/95)
Sec. 95. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11; text omitted.)

(20 ILCS 720/99)
Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
(Source: P.A. 97-573, eff. 8-25-11.)