The State Tax Commission advises that Public Act 198 of 1974 contains several provisions which cause the application process to be very time-sensitive.

The following are examples:

1. Section 4(3) of the act requires that the request for the establishment of a proposed plant rehabilitation district or industrial development district must be made prior to the start of construction of the property for which exemption is being sought.
2. Section 9(2)(c) provides that the start of construction of the facility cannot occur more than 6 months before the filing of the application for the IFEC with the clerk of the local unit of government.
3. Section 5(1) provides that the application for the IFEC is not officially filed until the district has been established.
4. State Tax Commission Rule No. 57 states that a complete application (with all required attachments) received by the State Tax Commission on or before October 31 will be acted on by the Commission before December 31 of that year. Applications received after October 31 will be processed contingent upon staff availability.
5. Section 3(8)(b) provides that a speculative building must be constructed before a specific user of the building is identified.