Article IV - Funding For Programs


      (505 ILCS 35/Art. IV heading)
ARTICLE IV. FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS.

    (505 ILCS 35/4‑1) (from Ch. 5, par. 2404‑1)
    Sec. 4‑1. Program fund; establishment. (a) The Reinvest in Illinois Natural Resources Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State treasury to fund the Save Illinois Topsoil Program and the Illinois Natural Resource Enhancement Program. Proceeds of General Obligation Bonds of the State of Illinois issued for purposes of the Fund shall be segregated in a special account and disbursed only for capital costs of the acquisition and betterment of public land and easements in land and shall be apportioned between the two programs created by this Act according to the following formula: 60% to the Save Illinois Topsoil Program and 40% to the Illinois Natural Resource Enhancement Program.
    (b) Money from the Fund may only be spent for the following natural resource conservation enhancement purposes:
    (1) development and implementation of the comprehensive natural resource management plans under Section 3‑2;
    (2) implementation of the Save Illinois Topsoil Program established by Article II;
    (3) soil and water conservation practices to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and crop surpluses;
    (4) enhancement of habitat on public and private lands;
    (5) acquisition and development of public access sites and recreation easements to lakes, streams and rivers for fish and wildlife oriented recreation;
    (6) matching funds with government agencies and the private sector for acquisition and improvement of habitat;
    (7) research and surveys of fish and wildlife species and habitat;
    (8) enforcement of natural resource laws and regulations;
    (9) information and education; and
    (10) necessary support services to carry out these purposes.
(Source: P.A. 85‑960.)