IL HB0423

Amends the Illinois Promotion Act to expand eligibility for Tourism Promotion Fund grants to include private convention centers, in addition to units of local government, municipal convention centers, and convention center authorities.

Defines "private convention center" as a convention center owned and operated by a private entity with contiguous exhibition space between 30,000 and 125,000 square feet.

Grants from the Tourism Promotion Fund may not exceed 80% of the incentive amount provided by the eligible entity and are capped at $200,000 per calendar year for any single facility.

Grant amounts are based on net proceeds from the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act for hotel room rentals in the municipality during the month the convention, meeting, trade show, or sporting event occurs.

Program authorization extends until July 1, 2020, with the Department required to submit an effectiveness report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2020.