(525 ILCS 33/15)

Sec. 15. Powers and duties. The Department of Natural Resources has the following powers and duties:

(a) To develop and administer the Illinois Open Land Trust program.

(b) To acquire real property, including, but not limited to, open space and natural areas for conservation and recreation purposes. The lands shall be held in (i) fee simple title or (ii) conservation easements for natural areas, provided that these mechanisms are all voluntary on the part of the landowners and do not involve the use of eminent domain.

(c) To make grants to units of local government under Section 25 of this Act.

(d) To make loans to units of local government under Section 30 of this Act.

(e) To promulgate any rules, regulations, guidelines, and directives necessary to implement the purposes of this Act.

(f) To execute contracts, grant or loan agreements, memoranda of understanding, intergovernmental cooperation agreements, and any other agreements with other State agencies and units of local government that are necessary to implement this Act.

(g) To execute contracts, memoranda of understanding, and any other agreements with not-for-profit corporations that are consistent with the purpose of this Act.

(h) To accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal government or the State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, for the purposes of the Department under this Act, including to make loans of any funds and to enter into any agreement with the federal government or the State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, in relationship to the grants, loans, or appropriations.

(i) To establish any interest rates, terms of repayment, and other terms and conditions regarding loans made pursuant to this Act that the Department deems necessary or appropriate to protect the public interest and carry out the purposes of this Act.

(j) To establish application, eligibility, selection, notification, contract, and other procedures, rules, or regulations deemed necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(k) To fix, determine, charge, and collect any premiums, fees, charges, costs, and expenses, including, without limitation, any application fees, commitment fees, program fees, or financing charges from any person in connection with its activities under this Act.

(l) To report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress made in implementing this Act and on the status of all real property acquired pursuant to the Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-1114, eff. 6-1-23.)