§ 5-20 — Creation

(a) There is created a political subdivision, body politic, and municipal corporation named the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority. The territorial jurisdiction of the Authority is that geographic area within the boundaries of the following counties: Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac and any navigable waters and air space located therein. (b) The governing and administrative powers of the Authority shall be vested in a body consisting of 21 members as follows: (1) Ex officio member. The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or a designee of that Department, shall serve as an ex officio member. (2) Public members. Six members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The county board chairmen of the following counties shall each appoint one member: Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac. All public members shall reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority. The public members shall be persons of recognized ability and experience in one or more of the following areas: economic development, finance, banking, industrial development, state or local government, commercial agriculture, small business management, real estate development, community development, venture finance, organized labor, or civic or community organization. (c) 11 members shall constitute a quorum, and the Board may not meet or take any action without a quorum present. (d) The chairman of the Authority shall be elected annually by the Board and must be a public member that resides within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority. (e) The terms of all initial members of the Authority shall begin 30 days after the effective date of this Act. Of the 6 original public members appointed by the Governor, 2 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2007; 1 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2008; 1 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2009; 1 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2010; and 1 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2011. The initial terms of the original public members appointed by the county board chairmen shall be determined by lot, according to the following schedule: (i) 3 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2007, (ii) 3 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2008, (iii) 3 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2009, (iv) 3 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2010, and (v) 2 shall serve until the third Monday in January, 2011. All successors to these original public members shall be appointed by the original appointing authority and all appointments made by the Governor shall be made with the advice and consent of the Senate, pursuant to subsection (b), and shall hold office for a term of 6 years commencing the third Monday in January of the year in which their term commences, except in the case of an appointment to fill a vacancy. Vacancies occurring among the public members shall be filled for the remainder of the term. In case of vacancy in a Governor-appointed membership when the Senate is not in session, the Governor may make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when a person shall be nominated to fill the office and, upon confirmation by the Senate, he or she shall hold office during the remainder of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the Authority are not entitled to compensation for their services as members but are entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as members. (f) The Governor may remove any public member of the Authority in case of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The chairman of a county board may remove any public member appointed by that chairman in the case of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. (g) The Board shall appoint an Executive Director who shall have a background in finance, including familiarity with the legal and procedural requirements of issuing bonds, real estate, or economic development and administration. The Executive Director shall hold office at the discretion of the Board. The Executive Director shall be the chief administrative and operational officer of the Authority, shall direct and supervise its administrative affairs and general management, perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the members, and receive compensation fixed by the Authority. The Department of Commerce and Community Affairs shall pay the compensation of the Executive Director from appropriations received for that purpose. The Executive Director shall attend all meetings of the Authority. However, no action of the Authority shall be invalid on account of the absence of the Executive Director from a meeting. The Authority may engage the services of the Illinois Finance Authority, attorneys, appraisers, engineers, accountants, credit analysts, and other consultants if the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority deems it advisable.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)