(20 ILCS 835/2) (from Ch. 105, par. 466)
Sec. 2. It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois to acquire a system of State parks which shall embody the following purposes and objectives:
(1) To preserve the most important historic sites and
| events which are connected with early pioneer or Indian history, so that such history of the Indians, explorers, missionaries and settlers may be preserved, not only as a tribute to those who made possible the building of the State of Illinois and of the Union, but also as a part of the education of present and future Illinois citizens. | |
(2) To set aside as public reservations those |
| locations which have unusual scenic attractions caused by geologic or topographic formations, such as canyons, gorges, caves, dunes, beaches, moraines, palisades, examples of Illinois prairie, and points of scientific interest to botanists and naturalists. These areas should be large in size and whenever practicable shall be not less than 1,000 acres in extent. However, smaller areas may be acquired wherever conditions do not warrant the acquisition of the larger acreage. | |
(3) To preserve large forested areas and marginal |
| lands along the rivers, small water courses, and lakes for a recreation use different from that given by the typical city park, and so that these tracts may remain unchanged by civilization, so far as possible, and be kept for future generations. Such areas also, should be acquired in units of 1,000 acres or more and may be available as fish and game preserves. However, smaller areas may be acquired wherever conditions do not warrant the acquisition of the larger acreage. | |
(4) To connect these parks with each other by a |
| system of scenic parkways with widths varying from 100 to 1,000 feet, as a supplement to and completion of the State highway system. Where the present State highway routes may serve this purpose, their location, alignment and design should be studied with this plan in view. At suitable locations along these highways, pure water supplies and shelters and comfort facilities of attractive design may be installed for the convenience of the public. | |
The Department of Natural Resources is authorized in behalf of the State of Illinois to accept by donation or bequest, to purchase or acquire by condemnation proceedings in the manner provided for the exercise of the power of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act, or by contract for deed payable over a period of time not to exceed 10 years, or in any other legal manner, the title to all such lands, waters or regions, and the easements appurtenant or contributory thereto, which shall be in accord with such policy in respect to a system of State parks, for the purpose of which the General Assembly may make an appropriation. Purchases by contract for deed under this Section shall not exceed $20,000,000 in total purchase price for land under contract at any one given time.
(Source: P.A. 94‑1055, eff. 1‑1‑07.) |
(20 ILCS 835/4) (from Ch. 105, par. 468)
Sec. 4. The Department of Natural Resources has the power:
(1) To make rules and regulations necessary to carry out its duties under this Act, including rules and regulations for the use, care, improvement, control and administration of lands under its jurisdiction, and to enforce the same.
(2) To employ such custodians, keepers, clerks, assistants, laborers and subordinates as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(3) To lay out, construct and maintain all needful roads, parking areas, paths or trails, bridges, and docks, camp or lodge sites, picnic areas, beach houses, lodges and cabins and any other structures and improvements necessary and appropriate in any state park or easement thereto; and to provide water supplies, heat and light, and sanitary facilities for the public and living quarters for the custodians and keepers of state parks.
(4) To replant any devastated native plant areas of any State park or increase or supplement the same when necessary with plant material indigenous to such park.
(5) To cooperate with the United States government and with other states in matters relating to the care, improvement, control and administration of national or interstate parks.
(6) To cooperate and contract with any agency, organization or individual in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Act and the powers granted the Department herein.
(7) To accept and administer gifts, grants and legacies of money, securities or property to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of this Act and according to the tenor of such gift, grant or legacy.
(Source: P.A. 89‑445, eff. 2‑7‑96.) |
(20 ILCS 835/6) (from Ch. 105, par. 468b)
Sec. 6. It is a violation of this Section for any person to:
(1) cut, break, injure, destroy, take or remove any |
| tree, shrub, timber, plant, or natural object in any park or parkway, except that the Department of Natural Resources may, by administrative rule, authorize edible fungi, nut, and berry collection in those areas of Department owned, leased, or managed lands where the collecting would not be in conflict or incompatible with (i) Department of Natural Resources natural resource management or recreational programs for that area and (ii) the Natural Areas Preservation Act; | |
(2) kill, cause to be killed, or pursue with intent |
| to kill any bird or animal in a park or parkway, provided that the Department of Natural Resources may by administrative order authorize hunting in those areas of state parks where such hunting would not be in conflict or incompatible with Department of Natural Resources recreational programs for that area; | |
(3) take any fish from the waters of any park or |
| parkway, contrary to the rules and regulations of the Department of Natural Resources; | |
(4) wilfully mutilate, injure, deface, or destroy |
| any guide post, notice, tablet, fence, enclosure or work for the protection or ornamentation of any park or parkway; | |
(5) light any fire upon any park or parkway, except |
| in an authorized place or places or wilfully or carelessly permit any fire which he has lighted or caused to be lighted, or which shall be under his charge, to spread or extend to or burn any shrubbery, trees, timber, ornaments, or improvements upon any State park, nature preserve or parkways, or leave any camp fires which he shall have lighted or caused to be lighted, or which shall have been left in his charge, unattended by a competent person; | |
(6) place within any park or parkway or affix to any |
| object therein contained, any work, character, or device designed to advertise any business, profession, article, thing, exhibition, matter or event; | |
(7) violate any rule or regulation adopted and |
| published by the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to the provisions of this Act. | |
A person who violates this Section shall, for each offense, be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 93‑341, eff. 7‑24‑03.) |