The Tourism Attraction Grant Program (TAP) is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to support the development and enhancement of tourism attractions across the state. The program aims to increase visitor numbers, encourage new tourism, extend the duration of visits, and boost overnight stays in Illinois. The funding is allocated through project grants to entities that contribute to the state's economic development by enhancing tourism-related infrastructure and experiences.

Eligible applicants for the grant include counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, local promotion groups, and for-profit businesses. Beneficiaries must also fall within these categories. Applicants must be in good standing with relevant Illinois state authorities, such as the Secretary of State, Department of Revenue, and Department of Labor. For units of local government, a formal resolution signed by the head of the governmental unit is required to verify eligibility. The program is competitive, with applications scored by an internal review committee, and awards are granted based on the highest scores until available funding is exhausted.

Grant funding can be used for the development or improvement of tourism attractions within Illinois. However, there are strict matching requirements: not-for-profit organizations, local governments, and local promotion groups must provide at least 50% of the total project cost, while for-profit businesses must contribute at least 75%. The match cannot come from other department-funded grant programs. Allowable matching sources include loan proceeds, public grant or loan program funds, retained earnings, stock offering proceeds, local hotel/motel tax revenue, and in-kind contributions such as donated labor and materials. In-kind contributions are permitted only for municipalities, counties, and nonprofits, and they cannot exceed 25% of the required match.

To apply, applicants must submit a standard application package that includes a uniform grant application, a capital budget, a conflict of interest disclosure, mandatory disclosures, a program-specific narrative, and an advance budget form. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as capacity, project quality, and demonstrated need, with a minimum score of 60 out of 100 required for funding consideration. Geographic dispersion and diversity factors may also be considered in the selection process. The review process typically takes between 30 to 90 business days, and successful applicants are notified via a Notice of State Award.

Awards are determined through a merit-based review, with funds disbursed based on need and variable advance payments. The program does not allow indirect costs or reimbursement of pre-award expenses. Quarterly reports using the PPR and PFR formats are required for grant recipients to ensure compliance with program terms. The grant does not have a renewal option, and appeals to the merit-based review process are limited to procedural concerns rather than evaluation scores.

Funding levels have varied significantly over recent years, with an allocation of $10.8 million in fiscal year 2024 and $1.7 million in fiscal year 2025. Recent awardees include major Illinois attractions such as Navy Pier, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Chicago Zoological Society, each receiving $450,000 in grant funds. Additional details, including application deadlines and specific requirements, can be found in the program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).