(20 ILCS 4117/20)

Sec. 20. Duties of the Council.

(a) The Council shall do the following:

(1) periodically review activities and programs administered by State and federal agencies that directly impact the Illinois River Watershed, the Mississippi River, and the Wabash and Ohio Rivers;

(2) work with local communities and organizations to encourage partnerships that enhance awareness and capabilities to address watershed and water resource concerns and to encourage strategies that protect, restore, and expand critical habitats and soil conservation and water quality practices;

(3) work with State and federal agencies to optimize the expenditure of funds affecting the Illinois River Watershed and rivers;

(4) advise and make recommendations to the Governor and State agencies on ways to better coordinate the expenditure of appropriated funds affecting the Illinois River Watershed and rivers;

(5) advise and make recommendations to the Governor on funds and the priority of projects;

(6) encourage local communities to develop watershed management plans to address storm water, erosion, flooding, sedimentation, and pollution problems, and encourage projects for the natural conveyance and storage of floodwaters, the enhancement of wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities, the recovery, management, and conservation of the rivers, the preservation of farmland, prairies, and forests, and the use of measurable economic development efforts that are compatible with the ecological health of the State; and

(7) help identify possible sources of additional funding for rivers and watershed management projects.

(b) To the extent practical, the Council shall perform its duties in accordance with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's Integrated Management Plan for the Illinois River Watershed Technical Report.

(Source: P.A. 102-1008, eff. 1-1-23.)