(a) For all applications that qualify under Section 4 of this Act, the Department shall issue recommendations by assigning a score to each applicant. The scores will be determined by the Department, based on the extent to which an applicant meets the criteria points under subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act. Scores will be determined using the following scoring system:
         (1) Up to 50 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (1) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded according to the severity of the unemployment.
        (2) Up to 50 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (2) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the number of jobs created and the aggregate amount of investment promised. The Department may award partial points on a pro rata basis under this paragraph (2) if the applicant demonstrates specific job creation and investment below the thresholds set forth in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of Section 4.
        (3) Up to 40 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (3) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the severity of the unemployment rate according to the latest American Community Survey.
        (4) Up to 30 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (4) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the severity of the environmental impact of the abandoned coal mine, brownfield, or federal disaster area.
        (5) Up to 50 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (5) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the severity of the applicable facility closures or downsizing.
        (6) Up to 40 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (6) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the severity and extent of the high floor vacancy or deterioration.
        (7) Up to 30 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (7) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the extent to which the application addresses a plan to improve the State and local government tax base, including a plan for disposal of publicly-owned real property.
        (8) Up to 50 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (8) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the existence of significant public infrastructure.
        (9) Up to 40 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (9) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act, with points awarded in accordance with the extent to which educational programs exist for career preparation.
        (10) (Blank).
         (11) Up to 40 points for the extent to which the
    
applicant meets or exceeds the criteria in item (11) of subsection (f) of Section 4 of this Act.
    (b) After assigning a score for each of the individual criteria using the point system as described in subsection (a), the Department shall then take the sum of the scores for each applicant and assign a final score. The Department shall then submit this information to the Board, as required in subsection (c) of Section 5.2, as its recommendation.