(20 ILCS 835/2) (from Ch. 105, par. 466) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-865 ) 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 which are connected with early pioneer or Indian history, so that such history of the Indians, explorers, missionaries and settlers may be preserved, not only as a tribute to those who made possible the building of the State of Illinois and of the Union, but also as a part of the education of present and future Illinois citizens.
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(2) To set aside as public reservations those
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| 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.
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(3) To preserve large forested areas and marginal
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| 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.
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(4) To connect these parks with each other by a
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| 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.
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The Department of Natural Resources is authorized in
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. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)
(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-865 )
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
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| 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.
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(2) To set aside as public reservations those
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| 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.
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(3) To preserve large forested areas and marginal
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| 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.
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(4) To connect these parks with each other by a
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| 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.
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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.)
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(20 ILCS 835/4) (from Ch. 105, par. 468) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-865 ) 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. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-865 ) 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 835/6) (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;
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(2) kill, cause to be killed, or pursue with intent
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| 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;
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(3) take any fish from the waters of any park or
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| parkway, contrary to the rules and regulations of the Department of Natural Resources;
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(4) wilfully mutilate, injure, deface, or destroy any
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| guide post, notice, tablet, fence, enclosure or work for the protection or ornamentation of any park or parkway;
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(5) light any fire upon any park or parkway, except
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| 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;
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(6) place within any park or parkway or affix to any
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| object therein contained, any work, character, or device designed to advertise any business, profession, article, thing, exhibition, matter or event;
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(7) violate any rule or regulation adopted and
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| published by the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
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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.)
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