Bill Title: Creates the Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to the comprehensive plan and subject to appropriation, shall establish and administer a Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program to restore degraded forest lands and native prairies, and to promote the growth of native vegetation that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to mitigate the impact of climate change. Provides that units of local government are eligible to submit a grant proposal in a format and at a time prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that grants may be used by units of local government to fund: (1) local projects restoring or expanding forests, wetlands, prairies, or other natural landscapes demonstrated to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; (2) education and marketing regarding local projects or steps community members may take to promote the growth of native vegetation that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and (3) any other purpose approved by the Department of Natural Resources that advances the State goal that there be no overall net loss of the State's existing forest, prairie, or wetland acres or their functional value due to State-supported activities. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act and the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-08-09 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0923 [SB2781 Detail]

Text: Latest bill text (Chaptered) [HTML]

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Sponsors

Name	Type	Sponsorship	District	Financial	Encyclopedia	Biography
Senator Rachel Ventura [D]	Primary	Sponsored Bills	SD-043	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Julie Morrison [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-029	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Mike Simmons [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-007	N/A	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Omar Aquino [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-002	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Paul Faraci [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-052	FollowTheMoney	N/A	N/A
Senator Mary Edly-Allen [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-031	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Michael Halpin [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-036	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Adriane Johnson [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-030	N/A	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Javier Cervantes [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-001	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Celina Villanueva [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-012	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Karina Villa [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-025	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Elgie Sims [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-017	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Laura Ellman [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-021	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator David Koehler [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-046	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Emil Jones [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-014	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Lakesia Collins [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-005	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Senator Sara Feigenholtz [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	SD-006	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Representative Hoan Huynh [D]	Primary	Sponsored Bills	HD-013	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Representative Kevin Olickal [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	HD-016	FollowTheMoney	Ballotpedia	VoteSmart
Representative Kimberly Du Buclet [D]	Cosponsor	Sponsored Bills	HD-005	N/A	Ballotpedia	N/A

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