LaSalle committee approves recommendation to apply for Illinois Opportunity Zone consideration
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Summary
The LaSalle Economic Development Committee voted to recommend that the city apply to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be considered for an Illinois Opportunity Zone; staff said applying signals interest and is census-tract–based, and no public hearing is required at this stage.
The LaSalle Economic Development Committee voted to recommend that the City Council proceed with an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to be considered for an Illinois Opportunity Zone.
Kirk told the committee that DCEO has reopened a time-limited process to nominate additional Opportunity Zones and that qualifying is tied to census-tract boundaries (areas designated as low-to-moderate income). "Only certain census tracts can qualify to apply," Kirk said, noting the city's eligible tract mainly encompasses downtown and reaches to about 10th Street on the map he circulated.
Kirk emphasized that filing an application expresses the city's interest and does not guarantee designation; DCEO will review and compare submissions from multiple communities and select areas it deems most suitable. Several committee members noted that the application itself does not require a public hearing; staff confirmed, "Not at this time. It's just an, just be able to put our name in the hat." The committee then moved, seconded and voted to recommend proceeding with the application; the motion carried by roll call.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether residential areas were included and whether the city can alter federal census-tract boundaries (it cannot); staff reiterated that census tracts are set by federal data and that Opportunity Zone eligibility is based on those tracts.
