(20 ILCS 862/13)

Sec. 13. Recreational Trail Programs; Greenways and Trails Advisory Council.

(a) To provide for public discourse and participation on recreational trails within the State, assist in statewide recreational trail outreach and public involvement, provide a forum to discuss statewide recreational trail user issues and recreational trail management, the Department shall establish a State recreational trail advisory council that represents both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail users, which shall, at a minimum, meet 2 times per fiscal year.

(b) The State Greenways and Trails Advisory Council is created and shall consist of members comprised of recreational trail users, and local, State, and federal agency officials. The members shall be appointed by the Director from nominations submitted by the public, recreational trail user organizations, and government agencies. The Council shall contain 11 recreational trail user members, one representing each of the following recreational trail activities:

(1) non-motorized water sports paddling;

(2) motorized off-road motorcycle;

(3) non-motorized hiking pedestrian;

(4) motorized all-terrain vehicle;

(5) non-motorized road and trail cycling;

(6) motorized snowmobile;

(7) non-motorized equestrian;

(8) motorized snowmobile;

(9) non-motorized mountain bike;

(10) recreational trail users with disabilities; and

(11) a diverse, multi-use, multi-purpose outdoor recreational trail and facility user group.

The Council shall contain local, State, and federal agency members representing the following organizations:

(1) one member from a local government or planning commission;

(2) one member from the Department of Transportation;

(3) one member from the Federal Highway Administration;

(4) one member from the Department of Natural Resources Grant Administration; and

(5) one member from the Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program.

(c) Council member terms shall be 4 years, beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31. Two members of the Council shall also be members of the Department's State Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Advisory Board.

(d) The Council shall serve 2 functions:

(1) As the advisory Council to the federal Recreational Trails Program, members of the Council shall help develop the State's recreational trail priorities and assist the Department to ensure program eligibility and criteria are met as prescribed by the federal program guidelines.

(2) As the forum for government agencies, the Council shall:

(A) encourage public awareness of the natural, recreational, environmental, water quality, cultural, transportation, and economic benefits of greenways and recreational trails;

(B) encourage cooperation among user groups;

(C) coordinate agency and organizations actions in an effort to create and maintain a statewide network of greenways and recreational trails;

(D) encourage the development of partnerships among the public and private sectors;

(E) support volunteerism to provide, protect, develop, and maintain greenways and recreational trails; and

(F) advise the Department on greenways and recreational trails planning, policies, and programs.

(Source: P.A. 100-798, eff. 1-1-19.)