Administrative Match Requirements

Section 550.70  Administrative Match Requirements Matching Funds. Each grantee must provide match for grant funds received under the Program.  Match expenditures must be no less than 50% of the grant funds expended, as well as any interest earned on grant funds that is also expended, except that, during fiscal years 2021 and 2022 , the Department shall require that any grantee shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 25 % of the grant amount. [20 ILCS 605/605-705(b)]  If a grantee fails to match any portion of the grant award in a given fiscal year, that portion of the grant shall be refunded to the Department in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement. In-kind contributions shall not be used to satisfy match requirements. a)         Eligible matching funds must satisfy all of the following criteria: 1)         Be provided to the grantee for general tourism promotional purposes in the designated service area; 2)         Be identified in the grantee's Project Budget Plan for the applicable fiscal year; 3)         Be available for expenditure during the applicable grant term; 4)         Be supported by grantee's records of deposit; 5)         Be expended by the grantee solely for eligible tourism promotional activities and associated administrative costs; and 6)         Not be refunded to the provider of the match. b)         Eligible Sources of Matching Funds.  The following sources may be used as match for grant funds: 1)         Local  hotel/motel tax receipts; 2)         Membership dues; 3)         Interest on local monies available for expenditure on tourism promotional activities; 4)         Cash contributions meeting all requirements of subsection (a); and 5)         Federal funds provided directly to the grantee for tourism promotional purposes that do not require match. c)         Ineligible  Sources and/or Expenditures of Matching Funds.  These include, but are not limited to: 1)         In-kind contributions; 2)         State or federal funds other than those allowed in subsection (b)(5); 3)         Monies used as match for other State or federal grants; 4)         Penalties, fines, fees, or interest charges assessed as a result of late payment; 5)         Pass-through funds; and 6)         Any purchase of alcoholic beverages.