Section 610.600  Evaluation Process

a)         Department staff will screen all applications to determine that all application requirements of the direct loan and grant application package have been addressed.  Applications will be reviewed in accordance with Department review criteria listed in subsection (b) below.

b)         A request for grant and loan assistance will be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of this Part.  The review and evaluation of applications will take no more than 45 working days after the Department's receipt of a completed application, with financial assistance awards being announced at the end of that period.

1)         Applications that address economic development will be evaluated on the basis of:

A)        The extent of economic need to be addressed by the project;

B)        Time schedule for project initiation, etc., indicating the level of project readiness;

C)        The merits of the proposed work plan and consistency of proposed activities with requirements of the Act;

D)        The level of economic development results expected (e.g., jobs created or retained, private funds leveraged, etc., or other significant development benefits or impacts); and

E)        The financial capability of the applicant to finance the infrastructure improvements from other sources.

2)         Applications that address public health and safety issues will be evaluated on the basis of:

A)        Documentation that a threat to the health and safety of the community exists, i.e., a deficiency exists in a community facility, and that the project alleviates the identified threat to public health or safety;

B)        Time schedule for project initiation, etc., indicating the level of project readiness;

C)        Financial capability of the applicant to finance the infrastructure improvements from other sources;

D)        The merits of the proposed work plan and consistency of the proposed activities with the requirements of the Act; and

E)        The financial capability of the applicant to finance the infrastructure improvements from other sources.

c)         Upon selection, the Department will notify applicants of the amount of grant or loan assistance being awarded.  The Department will issue an award letter and will issue an agreement for signature by the applicant.  The Department may limit the amount of time such grant or loan funds will be available for use by the applicant.

(Source:  Added at 18 Ill. Reg. 8398, effective May 23, 1994)