The formation of a Cook County Film Commission (CCFC) is expected to be voted into law by the Cook County Board of Commissioners by mid-November, and will be open for business Jan. 1, 2010.
But in order for it to be a productive partner of the state and city film offices, say filmmakers, it must provide meaningful incentives and cut prohibitively high fees.
Board president Todd Stroger reportedly initiated the idea of a county film commission four months ago. He appointed a three person advisory board, which has held ongoing meetings with various committees of film-related persons to determine how a county film office could help boost Illinois’ ailing film industry.
When the Illinois Production Alliance has the floor at Thursday’s closed meeting at the George Dunne County Building, it will emphasize the immediate need for financial incentives — such as tax credits, rebates, refunds and sales tax reductions — that are imperative in order to give Illinois a much needed, sharper competitive edge.
The report will be delivered by the DGA’s Dan Moore, chairman of the IPA legislative committee and members of the committee, to the advisory committee: Chairman Jack Weinruch, Cook County liquor commissioner and director of administrative law hearings, Johnathon Winbush, special assistant to Stroger, and Michigan entertainment attorney Liz Storm, who teaches part-time at Columbia College.
Furthermore, the IPA report will urge the establishment of a speedy permit process for shooting in the Forest Preserves and elsewhere throughout the county’s 2,000 square mile purview, and integrating services with the state/city film offices to smooth the way for filmmakers to do business here.
