HB1858 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 07349 HLH 27490 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1858

Introduced 2/23/2007, by Rep. Kurt M. Granberg

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Economic Development Institute Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Economic Development Institute. Provides that the Institute shall work in conjunction with one or more of the State's universities and with professional associations involved in development to establish the Institute as a central coordinating entity for economic development training and educational programs in Illinois. Provides that the Institute shall sponsor specialized education programs, promote professional development and certification, and produce technical workbooks for local and regional economic development professionals on proven as well as innovative strategies to improve their opportunities for community growth. Provides specific economic development, professional development, and publication development guidelines. Sets forth the powers of duties of the Institute. Gives the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity the power to make rules to implement the Act.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning economic development.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Economic Development Institute Act.

Section 5. Purpose; findings.

(a) The purpose of this Act is to advance and coordinate the professional training and educational opportunities for economic development practitioners in the State of Illinois and to provide information, assistance, and advocacy to facilitate and advance the economic development process in partnership with Illinois' communities, businesses, and networks of public and private service providers.

(b) The General Assembly finds all of the following:

(1) An economic development profession requires working knowledge of a wide variety of disciplines: research, business planning, economics, organizational management, group dynamics, neighborhood development, local government, and area promotion, among others.

(2) Over the longer term, the best avenue to enhance the overall skills of the individuals involved in community economic development is to create an Economic Development Institute, a comprehensive, coordinated program of professional education, training, and support.

(3) There is an ongoing need to assist the economic development community at large through professional development, economic development training, and advanced education. No such comprehensive, concerted program effort exists at this time.

Section 10. The Economic Development Institute. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Economic Development Institute. The Institute shall work in conjunction with one or more of the State's universities and with professional associations involved in development to establish the Institute as a central coordinating entity for economic development training and educational programs in Illinois. The Institute shall sponsor specialized education programs, promote professional development and certification, and produce technical workbooks for local and regional economic development professionals on proven as well as innovative strategies to improve their opportunities for community growth.

Section 15. Economic and professional development; publications.

(a) The economic development component of the Institute shall include workshops and extended training courses for the new or the experienced economic developer. Training may include any of the following:

(1) Intensive, week-long basic development courses on the fundamentals of community and economic development.

(2) Advanced economic development training for State and local staff.

(3) Volunteer training for local development boards regarding common sense information about economic development.

The topics of the economic development component shall cover general themes (such as capital formation, recruitment, retention, expansion, market promotion, entrepreneurial development, business management, and modernization) or specific themes (such as development finance, tax increment financing, community development finance institutions, and grants-writing).

The Institute may provide (A) leadership training, technical skill development, information sessions, current topic forums, and other training sessions or workshops, which may vary in length from half-day to 5-day sessions; (B) training for development volunteers that is directed to providing local leaders with basic information about economic development, as well as innovative, proven ideas that can help them to improve their opportunities for community growth; and (C) advanced development education, including capital formation, market promotion, entrepreneurial development, business management and modernization, development finance, tax increment financing, community development finance institutions, and grants-writing.

(b) The professional development component of the Institute shall serve to bolster the professional development for those involved in community and economic improvement programs. The purpose of the professional development component is to foster cooperation among economic development professionals and afford economic developers a means for assembly and collective expression. For this component, the Institute shall cooperate with those groups that already have knowledge of customer needs and requirements, including organizations such as the Illinois Development Council, the Tax Increment Association, the Community Action Association, the Business Development Center Association, and others with a vested interest in developing the skills and professionalism of community and economic development practitioners.

(c) The Institute must (1) conduct appropriate surveys and background work and publish articles and reports on innovative practices and techniques in specialized development applications, including development of curriculum, instructional materials, workbooks, and templates; (2) conduct substantive research in areas of importance to the profession, such as development challenges affecting municipalities and local development organizations, State competitiveness issues, and ongoing professional training needs; (3) publish slide shows, resource publications, computer spreadsheets, and templates of use to the profession; and (4) create a content-oriented Internet website for the economic and community development profession

Section 20. Duties of the Institute. The Institute shall have the following duties:

(1) To secure planning advice as needed from appropriate teams and focus groups made up of the various constituent groups being served. Major project decisions should be developed with the assistance of economic development practitioners, professional associations, local officials, volunteers, and universities.

(2) To prepare an annual list of major project topics. This topic list shall guide the formulation of materials and sessions to be presented throughout the year. The Institute shall be responsible for final selection of training sessions, technical publications, and professional development activities.

(3) To identify potential grantee organizations that hold appropriate credentials related to the function being addressed. Deliverers are expected to have regional and national standing within the economic development field.

(4) To prepare bids and other formal solicitations and select grantees to perform the research, training, workshops, curriculum development, and professional services.

(5) To assume administrative and overhead responsibilities in coordinating the delivery of project services by the field experts.

(6) To promote the training sessions, technical publications, and professional development efforts, including preparation and distribution of fliers, direct mail, or other appropriate promotions and marketing.

(7) To facilitate planning, delivery, and follow-up on specific projects, under assignment of a specific Institute project manager for each training session, technical publication, or professional development effort.

(8) To develop written and oral reports on a periodic basis to demonstrate project success.

Section 25. Rules. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of this Act.