Tucked into this business column by Tim Landis of the Springfield State Journal-Register is this fascinating little item:
* ROUTE 66 now has its own Illinois income-tax checkoff. The checkoff for promotion and preservation of the historic route is among four signed into law last week by Gov. Pat Quinn. The others are for Habitat for Humanity, state parks and a property tax relief fund for veterans with disabilities.
I found the bill that was signed by the governor. Here’s the most relevant text:
Fund is created a special fund in the State treasury. Subject to appropriation, the Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to make grants to not-for-profit corporations that have a statewide impact on Illinois Route 66 and that maintain, improve, or repair Historic Route 66 in Illinois. Grant moneys may be used for tourism promotion, matching grant funds, project development and implementation, grants to units of local government, and rehabilitation of historic structures.
If you’re not familiar with the check-off program, it’s a voluntary way to contribute $1 or more to programs you like or support when Illinoisans file their state income taxes.
I’m not sure how much this check-off will generate for Route 66, especially given the poor economy. Other programs have received more than $100,000 in previous years. But since it’s voluntary, it’s not like anyone can claim that it’s confiscatory. Even just a few thousand bucks a year would be helpful.
It’s difficult to see a downside to this program. Maybe a few other Route 66 states should consider this as well?
Seems like a good idea to me.
“make grants to not-for-profit corporations that have a statewide impact on Illinois Route 66 and that maintain, improve, or repair Historic Route 66 in Illinois”
Does that mean “for profit” Mom & Pops are not eligible for any of these moneys? If so, I guess that means they would NOT be eligible for matching funds/grants to preserve historic properties? Also, would a local Mom & Pop be considered to have a state wide impact? I mean, as a small part of the larger Route 66 experience, they have a state-wide impact, but as a pure business, they are probably only local.
I’m not a lawyer…maybe I’m too simple minded to understand what this means, but it seems fairly vague, and open to the interpretation (IE: whim) of those government agencies put in charge of dispersing these funds.
I think the framers of the law had nonprofit groups such as the Illinois Route 66 Association, Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, or even the National Trust for Historic Preservation in mind to help dispense the funds.