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FINANCE (30 ILCS 735/) Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act.

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Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS)

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    (30 ILCS 735/1) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9301)
    Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act.
(Source: P.A. 89-172, eff. 1-1-96.)

    (30 ILCS 735/2) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9302)
    Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section:
    "Applicant" means either (i) a unit of local government or (ii) an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that is working to assist units of local government or the Department in meeting the goals of this Act.
    "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.
    "Director" means the Director of Natural Resources.
    "Not-for-profit corporation" means an Illinois chartered not-for-profit corporation as defined in the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986.
    "Public trees" means trees that are owned by a unit of local government.
    "Public tree inventory" means an inventory, by a unit of local government, that is an assessment of the public trees located within its boundaries. This inventory shall include the collected data regarding the public trees and forests of the unit of local government and shall provide recommended action items to enable or enhance the future management of the trees and forests. Such recommendations may include the establishment, conservation, protection, and maintenance of public trees and forests.
    "Underserved or disadvantaged" means a community, county, or portion thereof that is determined by the USDA Forest Service for federal grant purposes to be underserved or disadvantaged.
    "Urban and Community Forestry Proposal" means a written proposal documenting proposed action to be implemented to complete a specific project approved by the Department under this Act.
    "Urban and Community Forestry Management Plan" means a comprehensive document used to guide urban and community forestry management decisions that is based on a public tree inventory that is less than 10 years old. It may contain information on history, policy, budget, inventory analysis of the forest ecosystem resources and management prescriptions, but, at a minimum, must contain information prescribed by rules adopted by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 104-421, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (30 ILCS 735/3) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9303)
    Sec. 3. Administration of Act; rules. The Department of Natural Resources shall administer this Act and shall promulgate and periodically update rules and regulations for that purpose.
(Source: P.A. 89-172, eff. 1-1-96; 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

    (30 ILCS 735/4) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9304)
    Sec. 4. Duties of Department. The Department shall:
        (a) Promote the development of Urban and Community
    
Forestry plans and programs in communities of this State to enhance the establishment, management, and conservation of public trees located within units of local government.
        (b) Provide technical expertise, assistance,
    
guidance, planning, and analysis to grant recipients for programs, projects, and other works related to urban and community forestry.
        (c) Seek and review for approval acceptable
    
Urban/Community Forestry Proposals submitted by applicants within the State.
        (d) Provide oversight and assistance to grant
    
recipients in managing urban and community forestry related grant proposals and programs.
        (e) Provide urban and community forestry information
    
and guidance to the Illinois Forestry Development Council and other State agencies and units of local government seeking urban and community forestry information or guidance.
(Source: P.A. 104-421, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (30 ILCS 735/5) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9305)
    Sec. 5. Application for assistance; forestry plan.
    (a) Applicants may submit an Urban and Community Forestry Proposal for assistance under the provisions of this Act.
    (b) Requests for grant assistance shall include, but shall not be limited to, those activities that will implement or enhance:
        (1) current Illinois Forest Action Plan objectives;
        (2) local forestry program management objectives as
    
determined by an urban and community forestry management plan;
        (3) tree canopy capacity in underserved and
    
disadvantaged areas of communities or counties; or
        (4) urban and community forest canopy in Illinois
    
communities and counties.
    (c) Multiple applicants may apply jointly for assistance under this Act, but payments shall be paid only in the manner prescribed by the Department in the grant award.
    (d) The Department shall evaluate the application and notify the applicant of the qualification or non-qualification of the application. The evaluation shall consider, among other factors, the effect of the proposal on the following:
        (1) The facilitation of improvements to the quality
    
of the environment in Illinois forests, urban areas, and green space areas within the applicant's jurisdiction through the improved management and preservation of the urban and community forest resources for the common good, health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of this State.
        (2) The creation of employment opportunities in tree
    
care, tree preservation, and related urban and community forestry activities.
        (3) The improvement of human health, environmental
    
access, and tree cover to reduce urban heat island effects and energy consumption.
        (4) The establishment and commitment to the
    
management and improvement of the forest resources of the community.
        (5) An increased public awareness.
        (6) Increased participation of local citizenry and
    
volunteers.
        (7) Increased assistance to underserved or
    
disadvantaged Illinois communities or counties.
(Source: P.A. 104-421, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (30 ILCS 735/6) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9306)
    Sec. 6. Grants; sources and amounts. Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grants shall be made available from appropriations from the General Revenue Fund, Illinois Forestry Development Fund, or other sources as appropriated by the General Assembly. All grants shall be limited to projects for which the applicant will provide any costs or matching funds as required under the notice of funding opportunity for the grant for which they have applied.
    In the event that any unit of local government's contribution to the payment of the program's cost is to be made by contribution of in-kind service, the application shall set forth in detail how such contribution will be made. In-kind contributions shall follow and meet all current federal and State grant requirements for in-kind contributions as set out in the grant award.
    Units of local government may delegate program administration, including the receipt and expenditure of funds, to special boards by ordinance.
(Source: P.A. 104-421, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (30 ILCS 735/7) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9307)
    Sec. 7. Audit. All records, receipts, expenditures, and program activities of an applicant are subject to audit by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 89-172, eff. 1-1-96.)