Section 30 ILCS 750/8-5 - Application Procedures for Business Development Public Infrastructure Loans and GrantsApplication for funds shall be made in the form and manner as the Department shall prescribe. Each application shall address, at a minimum, the following criteria:
(a) The essential need, which must be clearly documented, for the public infrastructure financing in order to secure a business development, retention or expansion project within the community.(b) The applicant's financing capability and its ability to pay for, or secure the payment of, part or all of the proposed public infrastructure improvements, and the local government's tax effort, as shown by local tax rates relative to other local governments of the same type in the State.(c) Local financing mechanisms available to help pay for the costs of the public infrastructure project, including, but not limited to, local revenue bonds, special service area tax proceeds, local user charges, or applicable federal loans or grants.(d) Clear documentation that there will be a significant increase in employment or a significant number of jobs retained as a result of the business development, retention or expansion project, including assurances from the firm undertaking the project relating to the number and type of jobs to be created or retained.(e) The proposed public infrastructure improvements, which shall be described in detail and which shall include a showing of their relationship to existing public property and capital improvement plans, as well as the pending business development or expansion project.(f) Documentation that the public infrastructure financing will provide a reasonable return, either through repayment of funds loaned through the program or new or retained personnel or business income.(g) Details regarding the firm undertaking the business development, retention or expansion project, including the company's history, future market prospects, actual and pro forma income statements, employment projections, and related details. Documentary materials or data regarding the firm or its commercial or financial information shall be deemed confidential and shall not be deemed public records; provided, however, that information pertaining to the ownership of the firm shall not be exempt under this Section from public disclosure.(h) Certification that the project is a business development, retention or expansion project as defined herein.(i) Certification that the community has a multi-year capital improvement program, updated annually, which includes listings of specific capital projects and specifies all sources of funds for each project, and which is based on economic analysis of the costs and benefits of each project and an analysis of the implications of each project for operating, maintenance and repair costs, and shows each year what past projects have been completed, which are pending, and which have been dropped from the capital plan.