FORESTS-WETLANDS-PRAIRIES Senate SponsorsSen. Rachel Ventura-Julie A. Morrison, Omar Aquino, Paul Faraci, Mary Edly-Allen, Michael W. Halpin, Adriane Johnson, Javier L. Cervantes, Celina Villanueva, Karina Villa, Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Laura Ellman, David Koehler, Emil Jones, III-Mike Simmons, Lakesia Collins and Sara Feigenholtz House Sponsors(Rep. Hoan Huynh-Kevin John Olickal-Kimberly Du Buclet) 8/9/2024SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0923 New Act20 ILCS 801/1-1530 ILCS 105/5.990 newCreates 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.Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to:30 ILCS 105/5.990 newAdds reference to:30 ILCS 105/5.1015 newReplaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may use an amount not to exceed 2% of the moneys appropriated for the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program for administrative costs. Provides that the Department shall use an amount of not less than 75% of the moneys appropriated for the Program to disburse as grants. Provides that moneys in the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Fund shall be used by the Department for advancing the purposes of the Act. Makes technical and other changes. 1/17/2024SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura 1/17/2024SenateFirst Reading 1/17/2024SenateReferred to Assignments 1/31/2024SenateAssigned to Environment and Conservation 2/8/2024SenatePostponed - Environment and Conservation 2/29/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura 2/29/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/5/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Environment and Conservation 3/5/2024SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison 3/7/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted 3/7/2024SenateDo Pass as Amended Environment and Conservation; 006-003-000 3/7/2024SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2024 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler 3/7/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III 3/14/2024SenateSecond Reading 3/14/2024SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 20, 2024 4/11/2024SenateThird Reading - Passed; 057-002-000 4/11/2024SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons 4/11/2024HouseArrived in House 4/12/2024HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh 4/12/2024HouseFirst Reading 4/12/2024HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/12/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins 4/24/2024HouseAssigned to Energy & Environment Committee 4/30/2024HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 026-000-000 5/1/2024HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 5/7/2024HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal 5/7/2024HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 5/7/2024HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 5/8/2024SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz 5/17/2024HouseThird Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 24, 2024 5/22/2024HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 086-022-000 5/22/2024SenatePassed Both Houses 5/22/2024HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet 6/20/2024SenateSent to the Governor 8/9/2024SenateGovernor Approved 8/9/2024SenateEffective Date January 1, 2025 8/9/2024SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0923