(110 ILCS 425/20)

Sec. 20. General powers and duties. In addition to its other powers and duties, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to provide for the management and operation of the Prairie Research Institute including, but not limited to, the following powers and duties which shall be performed by the Scientific Surveys:

(1) To investigate and study the natural and cultural resources of the State and to prepare reports and furnish information fundamental to the conservation and development of natural and cultural resources, and, for that purpose, the officers and employees thereof shall have the authority to enter and cross all lands in this State, doing no damage to private property.

(2) To collaborate with and advise departments having administrative powers and duties relating to the natural resources of the State, and to collaborate with similar departments in other states and with the United States Government.

(3) To conduct a natural history survey of the State, giving preference to subjects of educational and economical importance. The Illinois State Biologist shall be an employee of the Illinois Natural History Survey.

(4) To investigate the entomology of the State. The Illinois State Entomologist shall be an employee of the Illinois Natural History Survey.

(5) To investigate all insects dangerous or injurious to agricultural or horticultural plants and crops, to livestock, to nursery trees and plants, to the products of the truck farm and vegetable garden, to shade trees and other ornamental vegetation of cities and villages, and to the products of the mills and the contents of warehouses, and all insects injurious or dangerous to the public health.

(6) To study the geological formation of the State with reference to its resources of coal, ores, clays, building stones, cement, materials suitable for use in the construction of the roads, gas, oil, mineral and artesian water, aquifers and aquitards, and other resources and products. The Illinois State Geologist shall be an employee of the Illinois State Geological Survey.

(7) To cooperate with United States federal agencies in the preparation of geological and land surface maps and the collection, recording, and printing of water and atmospheric resource data, including stream flow measurements; to collect facts and data concerning the volumes and flow of underground, surface, and atmospheric waters of the State; and to determine the mineral and chemical qualities of water from different geological formations and surface and atmospheric waters for the various sections of the State.

(8) To act as the central data repository and research coordinator for the State in matters related to water and atmospheric resources. The Illinois State Water Survey of the University of Illinois may monitor and evaluate all weather modification operations in Illinois. The Illinois State Climatologist and the Illinois State Hydrologist shall be employees of the Illinois State Water Survey.

(9) To provide the results of the investigations and research in the field of natural science to the end that the same may be distributed to the interested public.

(10) To perform all other duties and assume all obligations of the Department of Natural Resources pertaining to the Illinois State Water Survey, the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and the Illinois State Archaeological Survey.

(11) To maintain all previously existing relationships between the Illinois State Water Survey, the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and the Illinois State Archaeological Survey and the public and private colleges and universities in Illinois.

(12) To participate in federal and State geologic mapping programs.

(13) To conduct educational programs to further the exchange of information to reduce the generation of hazardous wastes or to treat or dispose of such wastes so as to make them nonhazardous.

(14) To provide a technical information service for industries involved in the generation, treatment, or disposal of hazardous wastes.

(15) To disseminate information regarding advances in hazardous waste management technology and sustainability practices that could both protect the environment and further industrial productivity.

(16) To provide research in areas related to reduction of the generation of hazardous wastes; treatment, recycling and reuse; toxic pollution prevention; and other issues that the Board may suggest. The Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist shall be an employee of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

(17) To investigate, preserve, and interpret the archaeological heritage of this State within the contexts of public needs and sustainable economic development through scientific research, public service, education, and outreach activities. The Illinois State Archaeologist shall be an employee of the Illinois State Archeological Survey.

(Source: P.A. 98-346, eff. 8-14-13.)