103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2766

 

Introduced 1/17/2024, by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall study water resources and water-related land resources of the Kankakee River Basin. Requires the Task Force to conduct a study on the environmental and economic impact of the Kankakee River Basin on surrounding land, infrastructure, and property. Requires the Task Force to submit its first report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides for the repeal of the Act on January 1, 2027.


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A BILL FOR

 

SB2766LRB103 36556 JAG 66663 b

1    AN ACT concerning conversation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force Act.
 
6    Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds the
7following:
8        (1) The Kankakee River Basin in Illinois runs through
9    all or parts of Iroquois County, Kankakee County, and Will
10    County. Any precipitation that occurs in the basin will
11    eventually make its way to the Kankakee River before
12    reaching the outlet near Wilmington, Illinois.
13        (2) Tributaries of the Kankakee River include the
14    Iroquois River, Sugar Creek, and the Yellow River.
15        (3) Just south of Wilmington, Illinois, the Kankakee
16    River meets the Des Plaines River to form the Illinois
17    River.
18        (4) Due to generally flat terrain throughout the Basin
19    and shallow river slopes, heavy rainfall occurring in the
20    region tends to cause the river to crest quickly and cause
21    major flooding. Due to the effects of climate change,
22    these floods are happening more frequently, causing damage
23    to property, crops, and infrastructure.
 

 

 

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1    Section 10. Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force.
2The Kankakee River Basin Conservancy Task Force is created to
3study water resources and water-related land resources of the
4Kankakee River Basin in Illinois. The Kankakee River Basin
5Conservancy Task Force shall consist of the following persons:
6        (1) two members appointed by the Iroquois County Board
7    Chair;
8        (2) two members appointed by the Kankakee County Board
9    Chair;
10        (3) two members appointed by the Will County Board
11    Chair;
12        (4) the Director of Natural Resources, or his or her
13    designee; and
14        (5) the Executive Director of the Illinois Farm
15    Bureau, or his or her designee.
16    Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation
17and are not subject to Senate confirmation.
 
18    Section 15. Duties of the Kankakee River Basin Conservancy
19Task Force. The Task Force shall:
20        (1) conduct a study on the environmental and economic
21    impact of the Kankakee River Basin on surrounding land,
22    infrastructure, and property;
23        (2) develop a plan to address drain infrastructure
24    issues, with a focus on flood control, drainage

 

 

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1    maintenance, and environmental enhancements; and
2        (3) implement a system to promote and sustain the
3    development of surface and groundwater, address water
4    quality in the River, restore and protect fisheries,
5    restore and protect wetlands and aquatic habitat, and
6    ensure future viability of water supplies in the basin.
 
7    Section 20. Report. On or before January 1, 2026, the Task
8Force shall submit its first report to the General Assembly,
9by filing copies of its report with the General Assembly, as
10provided in Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization
11Act, and with the Governor.
 
12    Section 25. Administrative support. The Department of
13Natural Resources shall provide administrative and other
14support to the Task Force.
 
15    Section 30. Repeal. This Act is repealed on January 1,
162027.