Bill Text: IL HR0238 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the McHenry County Conservation District on its 50th anniversary.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-28 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne Ness [HR0238 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0238-Introduced.html

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HR0238 LRB102 18160 MST 25635 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate the McHenry County
Conservation District on the occasion of the 50th anniversary
of its founding; and
WHEREAS, The Conservation District Act (70 ILCS 410) was
established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1963; and
WHEREAS, On April 6, 1971, the McHenry County Conservation
District was formed by a successful county-wide referendum
held in conjunction with the consolidated election of 1971 and
was formally organized in July of 1971; and
WHEREAS, The founders envisioned a public agency that
would preserve and protect the land and water they loved and on
which they lived, while promoting a way of life they cherished
and establishing a place that could be shared with the
wildlife around them; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District exists
to preserve, restore, and manage natural areas and open spaces
for their intrinsic value and for the benefits to present and
future generations; and

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WHEREAS, Over the past 50 years, the McHenry County
Conservation District has secured and protected more than
25,600 acres, diverse with woodlands, wetlands, prairies,
creeks, and rivers that afford habitat for a wide array of
native plants and wildlife species, including numerous
endangered and threatened species, that clean and filter
surface and ground water, and that provide for clean air; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has
dedicated 17 sites as Illinois State Nature Preserves and has
helped to establish the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in
southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has
partnered with many local, state, regional, and national
governmental agencies, institutions, businesses, and
not-for-profits to advance its conservation mission and
vision; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, the McHenry County
Conservation District has been awarded and nationally
recognized as a leader in conservation and environmental
stewardship excellence for its role in ecological restoration,
rare plant discoveries, scientific research, innovative
management strategies, wildlife reintroduction, investments in
green infrastructure, greenway corridors, and trail

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connections, and thus establishing McHenry County as a
treasured destination and a place to call home; and
WHEREAS, McHenry County conservation areas provide access
to open space and public amenities in 35 locations where
residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits
on 106 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of regional biking
trails, 25 fishing areas, six campgrounds, six canoe launches,
36 miles of horse trails, and 18 sites with multiple picnic
areas and shelters, as well as a multitude of opportunities
for wildlife viewing; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District hosts
over one million visitors each year, including during 2020 as
outdoor explorations were deemed essential during the COVID-19
pandemic and sites were able to stay open for the health and
mental well-being of all residents; and
WHEREAS, For five decades, the McHenry County Conservation
District leaders, dedicated staff, and volunteers have
achieved the vision set forth by the founders and fulfilled
promises made to county residents to protect, preserve, and
enhance the properties owned by the conservation district and
held in perpetuity, for all county residents to enjoy daily
and for decades to come; and

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WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate and recognize the
milestones achieved, the growth, progress, perseverance,
achievements, and accomplishments, the many partnerships that
help bring projects to life, and most importantly the citizens
of McHenry County who placed their trust in the conservation
district to bring into being the conservation dream envisioned
by the founders; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate the McHenry County Conservation District on
its 50th anniversary, and it is with deep and sincere
gratitude and heartfelt appreciation that we hereby
congratulate the past and present board of trustees, staff,
volunteers and citizens of McHenry County; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the board of trustees for the McHenry County
Conservation District as an expression of our esteem and
gratitude.