Section 110.120  Restricted Areas

It shall be unlawful:

a)         For any person to enter or remain in any area or on any trail when such area or trail has, in whole or in part, been closed to use by visitors.  Site Superintendents and Law Enforcement Officers of the Department of Natural Resources, as well as other peace officers, are authorized to prohibit the use of such closed areas, and it shall be unlawful for any person to disobey the rules and regulations posted relative to such closed area.

b)         For any person to enter or remain on any portion of a dedicated nature preserve area where posted rules and regulations prohibit such entry to protect the natural fauna or flora within such area.

c)         For any person to operate a metal or mineral detection device, except that person may use hand carried devices on Department of Natural Resources properties that are not classified or zoned as State Historical, Archaeological, Military or Nature Preserve sites.  In addition, persons must obtain a permit from the Department through the Site Superintendent, in advance, indicating the location where these devices shall be used.  Further, only a small pen knife, ice-pick or screwdriver shall be used by permittee to recover any find in the area designated.  After completing detection activity, the permittee must return the work area to its original state.  No shovels, picks or entrenching devices of any size shall be used.

d)         For any person to collect firewood or operate a chain saw or sound amplification system which would draw on the site's electrical system in any area which has been closed or posted to prohibit such use.  Site Superintendents of the Department of Natural Resources shall prohibit such use in any area that does not allow the collecting of firewood, has experienced illegal cutting of timber or at which the noise will disturb other site users.

e)         For any person to use electronic or electrical speakers which emit sound into the use area of others at a volume which is disturbing or annoying to a reasonable person except as authorized by Department permit.  The decision to grant or deny a permit will be based upon the reason for the request and the time, date and type of activity, balanced against public enjoyment of the park.

f)          For any person to use shower buildings and/or restrooms other than as gender designated except those situations where parents or guardians may attend children or those with physical/mental challenges that need assistance.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 2268, effective January 28, 2005)