(20 ILCS 805/805-45)

Sec. 805-45. Adopt-a-Trail program.

(a) The Department shall establish an Adopt-a-Trail program that will allow volunteer groups to assist in maintaining and enhancing trails on State owned land.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this Section, volunteer groups in the Adopt-a-Trail program may adopt any available trail or trail segment and may choose any one or more of the following volunteer activities:

(1) spring cleanups;

(2) accessibility projects;

(3) special events;

(4) trail maintenance, enhancement, or realignment;

(5) public information and assistance; or

(6) training.

The Department shall designate and approve specific activities to be performed by a volunteer group in the Adopt-a-Trail program which shall be executed with an approved Adopt-a-Trail agreement. Volunteer services shall not include work historically performed by Department employees, including services that result in a reduction of hours or compensation or that may be performed by an employee on layoff, nor shall volunteer services be inconsistent with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. The Department may provide for more than one volunteer group to adopt an eligible trail or trail segment.

(c) If the Department operates other programs in the vicinity of the trail that allows volunteers to participate in the Department's Adopt-A-Park program or other resource, the Department shall coordinate these programs to provide for efficient and effective volunteer programs in the area.

(d) A volunteer group that wishes to participate in the Adopt-a-Trail program shall submit an application to the Department on a form provided by the Department. Volunteer groups shall agree to the following:

(1) volunteer groups shall participate in the program for at least a 2-year period;

(2) volunteer groups shall consist of at least 6 people who are 18 years of age or older, unless the volunteer group is a school or scout organization, in which case the volunteers may be under 18 years of age, but supervised by someone over the age of 18;

(3) volunteer groups shall contribute a total of at least 200 service hours over a 2-year period;

(4) volunteer groups shall only execute Adopt-a-Trail projects and activities after a volunteer project agreement has been completed and approved by the Department; and

(5) volunteer groups shall comply with all reasonable requirements of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-180, eff. 8-18-17; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)