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91_HB4706
LRB9113436JMdv
1 AN ACT to amend the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Act.
2 WHEREAS, The Wildlife Prairie Park (the "Park") is an
3 approximately 1,200 acre park, established in the late
4 1960's and opened in 1978, that is located in Peoria County
5 and contains woodlands, grasslands, hiking trails,
6 educational exhibits, miniature trains, and museum, banquet,
7 food service, and lodging accommodations; and
8 WHEREAS, The Park is home to elk, bison, bears, raptors,
9 and several other species of animals that are all native to
10 the State of Illinois, many of which can be found only in
11 this Park; and further, these animals are kept in large
12 free-roaming areas so that people can observe them in their
13 natural habitats; and
14 WHEREAS, The mission of the Park is to promote
15 conservation, education, recreation, and tourism; and
16 WHEREAS, Although Bill and Hazel Rutherford were the
17 founders and inspiration for the Park, many others who
18 believe in their dreams have donated materials, money,
19 supplies, and their talents and time and run the Park; and
20 WHEREAS, Thanks to the exceptional generosity of Bill and
21 Hazel Rutherford, future generations of Illinoisans will be
22 able to enjoy this unique natural preserve; and
23 WHEREAS, Bill and Hazel Rutherford, the owners of this
24 Park, wanted to give the Park to a public body that will
25 oversee its operations and continue to maintain the Park with
26 the same standard in which it was created; therefore
27 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
28 represented in the General Assembly:
29 Section 5. The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Act is
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1 amended by changing Sections 1, 5, 10, 15, and 50 as follows:
2 (20 ILCS 4029/1)
3 Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
4 Rutherford Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Act.
5 (Source: P.A. 90-501, eff. 8-19-97.)
6 (20 ILCS 4029/5)
7 Sec. 5. Purpose. The Rutherford Illinois Wildlife
8 Prairie Park Commission shall be responsible for providing
9 for the continuing conservation, operation, and maintenance
10 of the Rutherford Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park.
11 (Source: P.A. 90-501, eff. 8-19-97.)
12 (20 ILCS 4029/10)
13 Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the
14 context otherwise requires:
15 "Commission" means the Rutherford Illinois Wildlife
16 Prairie Park Commission created by this Act.
17 "Foundation" means the Wildlife Prairie Park
18 Not-For-Profit Illinois Corporation having its principal
19 place of business in Peoria County, Illinois.
20 "Rutherford Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park" means the
21 Wildlife Prairie Park located in Peoria County, Illinois.
22 (Source: P.A. 90-501, eff. 8-19-97.)
23 (20 ILCS 4029/15)
24 Sec. 15. Rutherford Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
25 Commission. The Rutherford Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
26 Commission is created to accept moneys from the State and
27 other private or public entities on behalf of the Rutherford
28 Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park and to oversee the financial
29 management of any such moneys used for the benefit of the
30 Rutherford Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park. The Commission
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1 shall be composed of 5 members. Membership of the Commission
2 shall be composed of the Lieutenant Governor, who shall be
3 the chairman of the Commission, and 4 other persons appointed
4 by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate,
5 who have demonstrated an interest in recreation, education,
6 and the conservation of natural resources, including the
7 propagation of wild flowers and plants and the habitat for
8 native fauna. All members shall be ex officio directors of
9 the board of the Foundation or the Foundation's successor.
10 Members of the Commission appointed by the Governor shall be
11 appointed for terms of 4 years and until their successors are
12 appointed; provided that of the Commissioners first
13 appointed, one shall serve a term of 2 years, one shall serve
14 a term of 3 years, and 2 shall serve terms of 4 years as
15 determined by drawing lots. Members of the Commission shall
16 receive no compensation for their services, except for their
17 actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of
18 their official duties. Three members of the Commission shall
19 constitute a quorum to do business, and the concurrence of at
20 least 3 members shall be necessary for a decision. The
21 Commission shall hold regular quarterly meetings. Special
22 meetings may be called by the chairperson and shall be called
23 on the request of a majority of members, as may be required.
24 The Commission shall provide for the proper and safe
25 keeping of its permanent records. It shall keep a system of
26 accounts showing a true and accurate record of its receipts
27 and disbursements, and it shall cause an audit to be made of
28 its books, records, and accounts.
29 The records of the Commission shall be subject to public
30 inspection at all reasonable hours and under such
31 regulations as the members may prescribe.
32 The Commission shall annually make a full and complete
33 report to the Governor and the General Assembly of the
34 transactions and operations of the Commission for the
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1 preceding year. The report shall contain a full statement of
2 the Commission's receipts and disbursements and the program
3 of work for the period covered, and may include such
4 recommendations as may be deemed advisable.
5 This Section is subject to the provisions of Section
6 405-500 of the Department of Central Management Services Law
7 (20 ILCS 405/405-500).
8 (Source: P.A. 90-501, eff. 8-19-97; 90-609, eff. 6-30-98;
9 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)
10 (20 ILCS 4029/50)
11 Sec. 50. Acceptance of conveyance. The State of
12 Illinois may accept a deed of conveyance of the Rutherford
13 Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park along with its appurtenances
14 in trust as provided in the deed of conveyance.
15 (Source: P.A. 90-501, eff. 8-19-97.)
16 Section 10. The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Act is
17 amended by changing the title as follows:
18 (20 ILCS 4029/Act title)
19 An Act concerning the Rutherford Illinois Wildlife
20 Prairie Park.
21 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
22 becoming law.