Illinois General Assembly - GOVERNMENT - EXECUTIVE BRANCH

(20 ILCS 835/0.01) (from Ch. 105, par. 464h)

Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the State Parks Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

(20 ILCS 835/1) (from Ch. 105, par. 465)

Sec. 1. The Department of Natural Resources shall have the care, control, supervision and management of all State parks heretofore acquired by the State, or which may hereafter be acquired, and all easements appurtenant or contributory thereto; such parks to be open to and to be for the benefit and enjoyment of all the people of this State, subject to the rules and regulations of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(20 ILCS 835/2) (from Ch. 105, par. 466)

Sec. 2. It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois to acquire a system of State parks which shall embody the following purposes and objectives:

(1) To preserve the most important historic sites and

events that are connected with the peoples who are geographically and culturally affiliated to the land now known as the State of Illinois, so that their history may be preserved, not only as a tribute to those peoples that came before us, but also as a part of the education of present and future Illinois citizens.

(2) To set aside as public reservations those

locations which have unusual scenic attractions caused by geologic or topographic formations, such as canyons, gorges, caves, dunes, beaches, moraines, palisades, examples of Illinois prairie, and points of scientific interest to botanists and naturalists. These areas should be large in size and whenever practicable shall be not less than 1,000 acres in extent. However, smaller areas may be acquired wherever conditions do not warrant the acquisition of the larger acreage.

(3) To preserve large forested areas and marginal

lands along the rivers, small water courses, and lakes for a recreation use different from that given by the typical city park, and so that these tracts may remain unchanged by civilization, so far as possible, and be kept for future generations. Such areas also, should be acquired in units of 1,000 acres or more and may be available as fish and game preserves. However, smaller areas may be acquired wherever conditions do not warrant the acquisition of the larger acreage.

(4) To connect these parks with each other by a

system of scenic parkways with widths varying from 100 to 1,000 feet, as a supplement to and completion of the State highway system. Where the present State highway routes may serve this purpose, their location, alignment and design should be studied with this plan in view. At suitable locations along these highways, pure water supplies and shelters and comfort facilities of attractive design may be installed for the convenience of the public.

The Department of Natural Resources is authorized on behalf of the State of Illinois to accept by donation or bequest, to purchase or acquire by condemnation proceedings in the manner provided for the exercise of the power of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act, or by contract for deed payable over a period of time not to exceed 10 years, or in any other legal manner, the title to all such lands, waters or regions, and the easements appurtenant or contributory thereto, which shall be in accord with such policy in respect to a system of State parks, for the purpose of which the General Assembly may make an appropriation. Purchases by contract for deed under this Section shall not exceed $20,000,000 in total purchase price for land under contract at any one given time.

(Source: P.A. 103-865, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 835/2.5)

Sec. 2.5. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(20 ILCS 835/3) (from Ch. 105, par. 467)

Sec. 3. (a) As used in this Section, "artificial landscaping" does not include any landscaping or other site modification or use resulting from any lease entered into by the Department of Natural Resources for the creation, operation, or maintenance of a commercial solar energy system, as defined in Section 10-720 of the Property Tax Code, or a clean energy project, as defined in the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Instead, these site modifications and uses are hereby deemed to support conservation of the original character of the parks.

(b) In maintaining the State parks, the Department of Natural Resources shall conserve the original character as distinguished from the artificial landscaping of such parks.

(Source: P.A. 103-865, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 835/3a) (from Ch. 105, par. 467a)

Sec. 3a. The Department of Natural Resources shall not dispose of any portion of a State park except as specifically authorized by law. This prohibition shall not restrict the Department from conveyance of easements, leases, and other lesser interests in land.

(Source: P.A. 103-865, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 835/3b)

Sec. 3b. Shabbona Lake and State Park; land management agreement.

(a) The Department of Natural Resources may enter into a land management agreement with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and other necessary parties for the purpose of managing, maintaining, or operating the real property conveyed to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation by this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly. Any such agreement shall contain the purpose, powers, rights, objectives, and responsibilities of each contracting party; restrictions on gaming operations; and a requirement that the land conveyed by this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly remain open for public recreation during the term of any such agreement. All agreements entered into pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the written approval of the Director of Natural Resources.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Natural Resources may use State resources for the management, maintenance, and operation of the real property conveyed to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation by this amendatory Act in accordance with the land management agreement that it executes with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation under this Section.

(c) In this Section, "land management agreement" means one or more agreements, or set of agreements, made for the purpose of managing, maintaining, or operating the real property conveyed to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation by this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 103-1078, eff. 3-21-25; 104-280, eff. 8-15-25.)

(20 ILCS 835/4) (from Ch. 105, par. 468)

Sec. 4. The Department of Natural Resources has the power:

(1) To make rules and regulations necessary to carry out its duties under this Act, including rules and regulations for the use, care, improvement, control and administration of lands under its jurisdiction, and to enforce the same.

(2) To employ such custodians, keepers, clerks, assistants, laborers and subordinates as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(3) To lay out, construct and maintain all needful roads, parking areas, paths or trails, bridges, and docks, camp or lodge sites, picnic areas, beach houses, lodges and cabins and any other structures and improvements necessary and appropriate in any state park or easement thereto; and to provide water supplies, heat and light, and sanitary facilities for the public and living quarters for the custodians and keepers of state parks.

(4) To replant any devastated native plant areas of any State park or increase or supplement the same when necessary with plant material indigenous to such park.

(5) To cooperate with the United States government and with other states in matters relating to the care, improvement, control and administration of national or interstate parks.

(6) To cooperate and contract with any agency, organization or individual in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Act and the powers granted the Department herein.

(7) To accept and administer gifts, grants and legacies of money, securities or property to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of this Act and according to the tenor of such gift, grant or legacy.

(8) To enter into leases that allow for the creation, operation, or maintenance of a commercial solar energy system, as defined in Section 10-720 of the Property Tax Code, or a clean energy project, as defined in the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. If practical, the Department shall require that any land or property over which the Department has jurisdiction that is used for the purpose of creating, operating, or maintaining a commercial solar energy system shall have implemented on it and maintained management practices that would qualify the land or property as a beneficial habitat under the Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act. The Department shall require that any lease must include a signed project labor agreement for the length of the lease term. A project labor agreement entered into under this Section shall be entered into with the local building and construction trades council having geographic jurisdiction over the project. The Department shall prioritize commercial solar energy system sites based on their suitability and economic feasibility for solar use. The Department shall then prioritize commercial solar energy system sites with a significant history of disturbance, such as former strip mines or previously developed sites. In making a determination for the suitability of a site, the Department may consider any land use that is lost from the installation of a commercial solar energy system.

(Source: P.A. 103-865, eff. 1-1-25.)

(20 ILCS 835/4a) (from Ch. 105, par. 468.1)

Sec. 4a. It shall be the duty of the Governor and the Director of the Department in charge of the administration of this Act to cancel immediately the lease on any concession when the person holding the concession or an employee thereof discriminates on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, or national origin against any patron thereof.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(20 ILCS 835/4b)

Sec. 4b. Products manufactured in the United States. Gift shops and concession areas within State parks and parkways shall set aside a booth or section for the sale of products manufactured in the United States. As used in this Section, "products manufactured in the United States" means assembled articles, materials, or supplies for which design, final assembly, processing, packaging, testing, or other process that adds value, quality, or reliability occurred in the United States.

(Source: P.A. 98-1031, eff. 8-25-14.)

(20 ILCS 835/4c) (from Ch. 105, par. 468.3)

Sec. 4c. All income realized from properties under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources shall be paid into the State Parks Fund, except that income realized from properties managed and operated principally as wildlife, forestry or fisheries areas shall be paid into the Wildlife and Fish Fund. All income realized from violations of this Act, other State laws and related regulations, or local laws within such properties, except violations of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or the Wildlife Code, when such income is derived from fines, penalties and other actions of county or municipal law enforcement personnel, may be retained by the county or municipality where the violations occurred.

The Department of Natural Resources may, upon written authorization of the Director of the Department, establish local bank or savings and loan association accounts to temporarily hold this income. All local bank or savings and loan association accounts established pursuant to this Section shall be in the name of the Department of Natural Resources and shall be subject to regular audits. The balance in a local bank or savings and loan association account shall be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources for deposit with the State Treasurer on Monday of each week if the amount to be deposited in a fund exceeds $500 or within 30 days after deposit.

No bank or savings and loan association shall receive public funds as permitted by this Section, unless it has complied with the requirements established pursuant to Section 6 of the Public Funds Investment Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(20 ILCS 835/6) (from Ch. 105, par. 468b)

Sec. 6. It is a violation of this Section for any person to do any of the following without approval by the Department of Natural Resources:

(1) cut, break, injure, destroy, take or remove any

tree, shrub, timber, plant, or natural object in any park or parkway, except that the Department of Natural Resources may, by administrative rule, authorize edible fungi, nut, and berry collection in those areas of Department owned, leased, or managed lands where the collecting would not be in conflict or incompatible with (i) Department of Natural Resources natural resource management or recreational programs for that area and (ii) the Natural Areas Preservation Act;

(2) kill, cause to be killed, or pursue with intent

to kill any bird or animal in a park or parkway, provided that the Department of Natural Resources may by administrative order authorize hunting in those areas of state parks where such hunting would not be in conflict or incompatible with Department of Natural Resources recreational programs for that area;

(3) take any fish from the waters of any park or

parkway, contrary to the rules and regulations of the Department of Natural Resources;

(4) wilfully mutilate, injure, deface, or destroy any

guide post, notice, tablet, fence, enclosure or work for the protection or ornamentation of any park or parkway;

(5) light any fire upon any park or parkway, except

in an authorized place or places or wilfully or carelessly permit any fire which he has lighted or caused to be lighted, or which shall be under his charge, to spread or extend to or burn any shrubbery, trees, timber, ornaments, or improvements upon any State park, nature preserve or parkways, or leave any camp fires which he shall have lighted or caused to be lighted, or which shall have been left in his charge, unattended by a competent person;

(6) place within any park or parkway or affix to any

object therein contained, any work, character, or device designed to advertise any business, profession, article, thing, exhibition, matter or event;

(7) violate any rule or regulation adopted and

published by the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

A person who violates this Section shall, for each offense, be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 102-1004, eff. 5-27-22.)

(20 ILCS 835/8) (from Ch. 105, par. 468b1)

Sec. 8. If the property adjoining any State Park is used for farming purposes, fences shall be maintained between the park and such adjoining land in accordance with the Fence Act. The Department of Natural Resources shall construct and maintain a just proportion of that division fence as provided in the Fence Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)