30 ILCS 735/ Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act.

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30 ILCS 735/1

(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

(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 a unit of local government.  An Illinois chartered
not-for-profit corporation as defined in the General Not-For-Profit Corporation
Act of 1986 can be a co-applicant with a unit of local government.

"Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.

"Director" means the Director of Natural Resources.

"Urban/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/Community Forestry Management Plan" means a comprehensive document
used to guide urban/community forestry management decisions.  It contains
information on history, policy, budget, inventory analysis of the forest
ecosystem resources and management prescriptions, and other information
prescribed by rules promulgated by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 89-172, eff. 1-1-96; 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

30 ILCS 735/3

(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

(30 ILCS 735/4) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9304)

Sec. 4.

Duties of Department.

The Department shall:

(a) Promote the development of plans and programs for the establishment,
management, and conservation of the urban/community forest with units of local
government.

(b) Provide technical assistance, planning, and analysis for projects
related to urban/community forestry.

(c) Seek and review for approval acceptable Urban/Community Forestry
Proposals submitted by applicants within the State.

(d) Provide assistance to units of local government and to grant recipients
regarding urban/community forest management, such as tree care, disease and
insect problems, and tree planting and maintenance.

(e) Provide information to the Illinois Council on Forestry
Development and other appropriate agencies
and units of government with regard to urban/community forestry.

(Source: P.A. 89-172, eff. 1-1-96.)

30 ILCS 735/5

(30 ILCS 735/5) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9305)

Sec. 5.

Application for assistance; forestry plan.

(a) Applicants may submit an Urban/Community
Forestry Proposal for assistance
under the provisions of this Act.

(b) Requests for grant assistance shall include, but not be limited to,
those activities that will implement a portion of the applicant's forestry
program or forestry management plan or will lead to the development of a
forestry management plan for the unit of local government.

(c) Multiple applicants may apply jointly
for assistance under this Act.

(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 each of the
following:

(1) The facilitation of improvements to the quality

 of the environment in forests and green space areas within the applicant's jurisdiction through the improved management and preservation of the urban/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

maintenance and related urban/community forestry activities.

(3) Maximizing the potential of tree and vegetative

cover in reducing 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.

(Source: P.A. 89-172, eff. 1-1-96.)

30 ILCS 735/6

(30 ILCS 735/6) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9306)

Sec. 6.

Grants; sources and amounts.

Urban/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.  The
grants shall be limited to
projects for which the applicant will provide at least 50%
of the cost.  A
single grant to a unit of local government shall not
exceed 5% of the amount allocated for the grant program by the Department in
the current fiscal year.
The Department shall seek
and obtain the advice of
the Forestry Development Council with respect to awarding grants under this
Section.

In the event that any of the municipality's contribution
to the payment of the cost of the program is to be made by contribution of
in kind service, the application shall set forth in detail how such
contribution will be made.

Units of local government may delegate program
administration, including the
receipt and expenditure of funds, to special boards by ordinance.

(Source: P.A. 91-157, eff. 7-16-99.)

30 ILCS 735/7

(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.)