1. a) Eligible Projects and Activities – The Program shall provide grants and loans to eligible Applicants for Projects and activities including, but not limited to, the following:

   1. 1) Capital Projects – land and building acquisition, construction and renovation of buildings for the purpose of creating or enhancing a Tourism Attraction;
   2. 2) Equipment – purchase and installation of machinery and equipment designed to create or enhance the Tourism Attraction, or rental of equipment for a Festival;
   3. 3) Training – development and presentation of hospitality, quality service and/or other types of tourism training programs intended to provide a competitive workforce for the tourism industry of Illinois;
   4. 4) Interpretive Programs – creation, implementation and staffing of, and fabrication of exhibits for, interpretive programs located within historic/cultural sites.

2. b) Ineligible Projects and Activities – Projects and activities ineligible for funding include, but are not limited to, the following:

   1. 1) Debt refinancing;
   2. 2) Contingency funding;
   3. 3) Normal operating expenses; and
   4. 4) Administrative expenses except administrative expenses to hire temporary staff for Festivals; and
   5. 5) Purchase of alcoholic beverages.

(Source: Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 11991, effective July 1, 2022)