IL HB4757

Establishes a grant program through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to distribute funds from the Local Tourism Fund to eligible local tourism and convention bureaus.

Eligible bureaus must be units of local government or not-for-profit organizations in legal existence for at least 2 years, operate with paid full-time staff dedicated to tourism promotion, and be affiliated with municipalities or counties that support them with hotel-motel taxes.

Allocates funds with 18% going to convention and tourism bureaus in cities with population greater than 500,000 (effective July 1, 2011) and 82% to bureaus in the remainder of the State based on population served.

Reduces the Department's administrative reserve from 10% to 3% of total local tourism funds for program administration, audits, incentive grants, and statewide promotional activities.

Requires matching funds equal to at least 50% of the grant amount from bureaus receiving grants that require matching funds; reserves $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2013 for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and State historic sites.