FORESTS-WETLANDS-PRAIRIES Senate SponsorsSen. Rachel Ventura-Laura Ellman and Mary Edly-Allen 1/7/2025SenateSession Sine Die New Act20 ILCS 801/1-1530 ILCS 105/5.990 newCreates the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Healthy 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 Healthy 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.Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that counties, townships, and municipalities are encouraged to plant trees and native prairie grasses along roadways and other practical areas to forward the goal of introducing more carbon-absorbing foliage to communities for the purpose of mitigating the effects of climate change. Provides that grants from the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program may be used by units of local government to fund local projects along roadways and parks by planting trees and prairie grasses demonstrated to absorb carbon.Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Deletes provisions that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that eligible entities for the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program include: (1) units of State and local government, including, but not limited to, State agencies, municipalities, townships, counties, forest preserves, and park districts; (2) conservation land trusts; (3) not-for-profit entities with conservation missions including, but not limited to, climate change mitigation, preservation of natural lands, and conservation of the State's natural resources; and (4) other entities to be determined by the Department as eligible recipients of the grants under the Act. Provides that the Department may utilize an amount not to exceed 25% of the funds appropriated for the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program for administrative costs and for grants to eligible entities. 2/10/2023SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura 2/10/2023SenateFirst Reading 2/10/2023SenateReferred to Assignments 2/28/2023SenateAssigned to Appropriations 3/2/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura 3/2/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/7/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Appropriations 3/10/2023SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 3/10/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 5/2/2023SenateRe-assigned to Education 5/2/2023SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 11, 2023 5/2/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura 5/2/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments 5/3/2023SenateRe-referred to Assignments 5/3/2023SenateRe-assigned to Environment and Conservation 5/3/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Environment and Conservation 5/3/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Environment and Conservation 5/5/2023SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 11, 2023 5/11/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Environment and Conservation 5/11/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Environment and Conservation 5/11/2023SenateDo Pass as Amended Environment and Conservation; 007-000-000 5/11/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading 5/11/2023SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman 5/11/2023SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 5/19/2023SenateApproved for Consideration Assignments 5/19/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading 5/19/2023SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 19, 2023 5/19/2023SenateSecond Reading 5/19/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading 5/19/2023SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 25, 2023 5/25/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen 6/26/2023SenatePursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments 1/7/2025SenateSession Sine Die