IL SB0312

Creates a 19-member Tourism Task Force to develop infrastructure and policies for tourism as an economic development tool in Illinois, utilizing state agencies and private sector input.

Task force composition includes one Governor-appointed chair, four legislative leaders (one each from Senate majority/minority and House majority/minority), and 13 Governor-appointed representatives from tourism industries including lodging, restaurants, convention bureaus, wineries, gaming, parks, agri-tourism, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and motorcoach services.

Includes 11 ex-officio members representing state agencies including Commerce and Economic Affairs, Natural Resources, Transportation, Historic Sites and Preservation, Agriculture, Public Health, State Police, Environmental Protection Agency, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Illinois State Tollway Authority.

Task force duties include reviewing state policies and programs affecting tourism, making recommendations to expand or coordinate programs to increase tourism revenue, monitoring implementation effectiveness, and filing annual reports to the General Assembly.

Voting members serve 2-year terms with staggered initial appointments; members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses; task force may conduct business once a majority of voting members are appointed; effective immediately.