103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4552

 

Introduced 1/31/2024, by Rep. Gregg Johnson

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 801/1-15

    Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a study of the economic impact of requiring at least 25% of the plants used in landscaping projects on State property and at least 25% of plants used in landscaping projects financed with State funds to be species native to the State.


LRB103 37385 JAG 67506 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4552LRB103 37385 JAG 67506 b

1    AN ACT concerning conservation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Natural Resources Act is
5amended by changing Section 1-15 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 801/1-15)
7    Sec. 1-15. General powers and duties.
8    (a) It shall be the duty of the Department to investigate
9practical problems, implement studies, conduct research and
10provide assistance, information and data relating to the
11technology and administration of the natural history,
12entomology, zoology, and botany of this State; the geology and
13natural resources of this State; the water and atmospheric
14resources of this State; and the archeological and cultural
15history of this State.
16    (b) The Department (i) shall obtain, store, and process
17relevant data; recommend technological, administrative, and
18legislative changes and developments; cooperate with other
19federal, state, and local governmental research agencies,
20facilities, or institutes in the selection of projects for
21study; cooperate with the Board of Higher Education and with
22the public and private colleges and universities in this State
23in developing relevant interdisciplinary approaches to

 

 

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1problems; and evaluate curricula at all levels of education
2and provide assistance to instructors and (ii) may sponsor an
3annual conference of leaders in government, industry, health,
4and education to evaluate the state of this State's
5environment and natural resources.
6    (c) The Director, in accordance with the Personnel Code,
7shall employ such personnel, provide such facilities, and
8contract for such outside services as may be necessary to
9carry out the purposes of the Department. Maximum use shall be
10made of existing federal and state agencies, facilities, and
11personnel in conducting research under this Act.
12    (c-5) The Department may use the services of, and enter
13into necessary agreements with, outside entities for the
14purpose of evaluating grant applications and for the purpose
15of administering or monitoring compliance with grant
16agreements. Contracts under this subsection shall not exceed 2
17years in length.
18    (d) In addition to its other powers, the Department has
19the following powers:
20        (1) To obtain, store, process, and provide data and
21    information related to the powers and duties of the
22    Department under this Act. This subdivision (d)(1) does
23    not give authority to the Department to require reports
24    from nongovernmental sources or entities.
25        (2) To cooperate with and support the Illinois Science
26    and Technology Advisory Committee and the Illinois

 

 

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1    Coalition for the purpose of facilitating the effective
2    operations and activities of such entities. Support may
3    include, but need not be limited to, providing space for
4    the operations of the Committee and the Illinois
5    Coalition.
6    (e) The Department is authorized to make grants to local
7not-for-profit organizations for the purposes of development,
8maintenance and study of wetland areas.
9    (f) The Department has the authority to accept, receive
10and administer on behalf of the State any gifts, bequests,
11donations, income from property rental and endowments. Any
12such funds received by the Department shall be deposited into
13the DNR Special Projects Fund, a trust fund in the State
14treasury, and used for the purposes of this Act or, when
15appropriate, for such purposes and under such restrictions,
16terms and conditions as are predetermined by the donor or
17grantor of such funds or property. Any accrued interest from
18money deposited into the DNR Special Projects Fund shall be
19reinvested into the Fund and used in the same manner as the
20principal. The Director shall maintain records which account
21for and assure that restricted funds or property are disbursed
22or used pursuant to the restrictions, terms or conditions of
23the donor.
24    (g) The Department shall recognize, preserve, and promote
25our special heritage of recreational hunting and trapping by
26providing opportunities to hunt and trap in accordance with

 

 

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1the Wildlife Code.
2    (h) Within 5 years after the effective date of this
3amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the Department
4shall fly a United States Flag, an Illinois flag, and a POW/MIA
5flag at all State parks. Donations may be made by groups and
6individuals to the DNR Special Projects Fund for costs related
7to the implementation of this subsection.
8    (i) The Department shall conduct a study of the economic
9impact of requiring at least 25% of plants used in landscaping
10projects on State property and at least 25% of plants used in
11landscaping projects financed with State funds to be species
12native to the State.
13(Source: P.A. 102-388, eff. 1-1-22; 102-699, eff. 4-19-22;
14103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)