Bill Text: IL SB2766 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Creates the Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall study water resources and water-related land resources of the Kankakee River Basin. Requires the Task Force to conduct a study on the environmental and economic impact of the Kankakee River Basin on surrounding land, infrastructure, and property. Requires the Task Force to submit its first report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides for the repeal of the Act on January 1, 2027.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-17 - Referred to Assignments [SB2766 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB2766-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB2766 Introduced 1/17/2024, by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
Creates the Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall study water resources and water-related land resources of the Kankakee River Basin. Requires the Task Force to conduct a study on the environmental and economic impact of the Kankakee River Basin on surrounding land, infrastructure, and property. Requires the Task Force to submit its first report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides for the repeal of the Act on January 1, 2027.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning conversation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force Act.
Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds the
following:
(1) The Kankakee River Basin in Illinois runs through
all or parts of Iroquois County, Kankakee County, and Will
County. Any precipitation that occurs in the basin will
eventually make its way to the Kankakee River before
reaching the outlet near Wilmington, Illinois.
(2) Tributaries of the Kankakee River include the
Iroquois River, Sugar Creek, and the Yellow River.
(3) Just south of Wilmington, Illinois, the Kankakee
River meets the Des Plaines River to form the Illinois
River.
(4) Due to generally flat terrain throughout the Basin
and shallow river slopes, heavy rainfall occurring in the
region tends to cause the river to crest quickly and cause
major flooding. Due to the effects of climate change,
these floods are happening more frequently, causing damage
to property, crops, and infrastructure.

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Section 10. Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force.
The Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force is created to
study water resources and water-related land resources of the
Kankakee River Basin in Illinois. The Kankakee River Basin
Conservancy Task Force shall consist of the following persons:
(1) two members appointed by the Iroquois County Board
Chair;
(2) two members appointed by the Kankakee County Board
Chair;
(3) two members appointed by the Will County Board
Chair;
(4) the Director of Natural Resources, or his or her
designee; and
(5) the Executive Director of the Illinois Farm
Bureau, or his or her designee.
Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation
and are not subject to Senate confirmation.
Section 15. Duties of the Kankakee River Basin Conservancy
Task Force. The Task Force shall:
(1) conduct a study on the environmental and economic
impact of the Kankakee River Basin on surrounding land,
infrastructure, and property;
(2) develop a plan to address drain infrastructure
issues, with a focus on flood control, drainage

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maintenance, and environmental enhancements; and
(3) implement a system to promote and sustain the
development of surface and groundwater, address water
quality in the River, restore and protect fisheries,
restore and protect wetlands and aquatic habitat, and
ensure future viability of water supplies in the basin.
Section 20. Report. On or before January 1, 2026, the Task
Force shall submit its first report to the General Assembly,
by filing copies of its report with the General Assembly, as
provided in Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization
Act, and with the Governor.
Section 25. Administrative support. The Department of
Natural Resources shall provide administrative and other
support to the Task Force.