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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The protection and restoration of wildlife
3habitat is widely supported by the public, and the most recent
4Illinois Outdoor Recreation Survey found that 84% of
5Illinoisans agree that more wildlife habitat should be
6protected and restored; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Investments in natural infrastructure provide
8multiple economic, environmental, and social benefits to
9communities that need functioning infrastructure and a healthy
10environment; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Illinois has lost more than 95% of its original
12wetlands and 99% of its original open prairie, making it
13critical to protect the remaining natural habitat; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Illinoisans' overwhelming support the role of
15parks and recreation facilities in their communities,
16especially for preserving open space and improving fitness and
17mental health; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Outdoor recreation contributes to a healthy
19lifestyle for the State's youth and adults alike, and young
20people need more access to safe, outdoor experiences to
21counteract sedentary lifestyles and to offer alternatives to

 

 

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1digital entertainment; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Economically disadvantaged communities are
3disproportionately at risk from flooding due to loss of
4permeable surfaces and are in the greatest need of open space
5projects that can absorb floodwater that would otherwise damage
6homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The quantity of water supplied by aquifers, inland
8streams, and Lake Michigan is limited, and land conservation
9and restoration provides for the protection of drinking water
10resources through water recharge and stream buffering; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Natural habitats have been shown to improve air
12quality, and significant populations in Illinois live in areas
13failing to meet federal air quality standards; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The Illinois State Wildlife Action Plan has won
15national recognition but remains underfunded; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Hunting, fishing, and wildlife-associated
17recreation currently support nearly 200,000 direct jobs and
18generate $7.8 billion in wages and salaries in Illinois; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Protection and restoration of natural areas is an
20important component of state action on climate change, as

 

 

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1natural habitats sequester carbon through natural processes,
2and open spaces make our communities and ecosystems more
3resilient to the impacts of climate change; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Illinois park and forest preserve districts, land
5trusts, and other organizations and units of governments are
6challenged to fund habitat restoration, public access, trail,
7and safety improvements at public open space holdings,
8inhibiting natural resource value and public enjoyment at many
9sites; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Land acquisition, restoration, and management are
11capital-intensive investments; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize that
14current funding for open space acquisition and management is
15severely lacking, that capital budgets have traditionally
16provided resources for land acquisition, stewardship, and
17public recreational opportunities, and that the value of parks
18and natural areas in improving public health, protecting
19communities from flooding, improving air and water quality, and
20generating economic activity is without question; and be it
21further
 
22    RESOLVED, That we urge a significant new initiative be

 

 

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1included in any new capital spending plan to fund the
2acquisition, restoration, and management of natural areas and
3open spaces, which would include:
4        (1) A new statewide land acquisition program to protect
5    the State's most precious natural resources and provide
6    safe, quality outdoor non-motorized recreational
7    opportunities, including matching grants to local
8    governments and nonprofit land trusts and conservation
9    organizations;
10        (2) Implementation of the Hunting Heritage Protection
11    Act by increasing the amount of land acreage available for
12    hunting opportunities in Illinois; and
13        (3) Funding for capital improvements to state parks and
14    conservation lands that are consistent with natural
15    heritage protection and non-motorized recreation; and be
16    it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
18delivered to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
19Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President
20of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Director
21of Natural Resources, and the Governor.