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    AN ACT concerning local government.

 
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    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
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represented in the General Assembly: 

 
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    Section 5. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act is 
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amended  by changing Sections 6 and 22.03 as follows:
 



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    (70 ILCS 405/6)  (from Ch. 5, par. 111)


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    Sec. 6. Powers and duties. In addition to the powers and 
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duties otherwise
conferred upon the Department, it shall have 
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the following powers and
duties:

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    (1) To offer such assistance as may be appropriate to the 
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directors
of soil and water conservation districts, organized 
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as provided
hereinafter, in the carrying out of any of the 
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powers and programs.

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    (2) To keep the directors of each of said several districts 
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informed
of the activities and experience of other such 
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districts, and to
facilitate an interchange of advice and 
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experience between such
districts and cooperation between 
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them.

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    (3) To coordinate the programs of the several districts so 
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far as
this may be done by advice and consultation.

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    (4) To seek the cooperation and assistance of the United 
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States and
of agencies of this State, in the work of such 
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districts.

 


 






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    (5) To disseminate information throughout the State 
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concerning the
formation of such districts, and to assist in 
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the formation of such
districts in areas where their 
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organization is desirable.

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    (6) To consider, review, and express its opinion concerning 
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any
rules, regulations, ordinances or other action of the board 
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of directors
of any district and to advise such board of 
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directors accordingly.

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    (7) To prepare and submit to the Director of
the Department 
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an annual budget.

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    (8) To develop and coordinate a comprehensive State erosion 
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and sediment
control program, including guidelines to be used 
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by districts in implementing
this program.  In developing this 
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program, the Department may consult with
and request technical 
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assistance from local, State and federal agencies,
and may 
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consult and advise with technically qualified persons and with 
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the
soil and water conservation districts.  The guidelines 
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developed may be
revised from time to time as necessary.

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    (9) To promote among its members the management of marginal 
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agricultural
and other rural lands for forestry, consistent 
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with the goals and purposes
of the "Illinois Forestry 
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Development Act".

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    Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Department or any 
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district to
regulate
or control point source discharges to 
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waters.

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    (10) To make grants subject to annual appropriation from 
 


 






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the the Build Illinois Bond Fund or any other sources,

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including the federal government, to Soil and Water 
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Conservation Districts
and the Natural Resources Conservation 
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Service.  After a grant amount has been determined for a Soil 
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and Water Conservation District or the Natural Resources 
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Conservation Service, but not fully expended, that amount may, 
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upon consultation with the Soil and Water Conservation District 
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or the Natural Resources Conservation Council, be reduced by an 
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amount less than the amount that remains unexpended, in order 
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to make supplemental grants to a different Soil and Water 
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Conservation District or to the Natural Resources Conservation 
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Service
Soil Conservation Service.

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    (11) To provide payment for outstanding health care costs 
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of Soil and
Water
Conservation District employees incurred 
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between January 1, 1996 and December
31, 1996
that were 
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eligible
for
reimbursement from the District's insurance 
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carrier, Midcontinent Medical
Benefit  Trust, but have not been 
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paid to date by Midcontinent.  All
claims
shall be filed with

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the Department on or before January 30, 1998 to be considered 
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for payment
under the provisions of this amendatory Act of 
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1997.  The Department shall
approve or reject claims
based upon 
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documentation and in accordance with established procedures.  
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The
authority granted under this item (11) expires on
September 
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1, 1998.

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    Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Department in any 
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district to
regulate or curtail point source discharges to 
 


 






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waters.

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(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

 



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    (70 ILCS 405/22.03)  (from Ch. 5, par. 127.3)



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    Sec. 22.03. Cooperation with other entities.

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    (a) To cooperate, or enter into agreements with, and within 
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the
limits of appropriations duly made available to it by law, 
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to furnish
financial or other aid to, any agency, governmental 
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or otherwise, or any
owner or occupier of lands within the 
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district, in the carrying on of
erosion-control and flood 
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prevention operations within the district,
subject to such 
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conditions as the directors may deem necessary to advance
the 
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purposes of this Act.

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    (b) If property is located outside of the district but is 
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administered within the district for the purpose of U.S. 
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Department of Agriculture programs, then, for the purpose of 
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this Section, that property is deemed to be within the 
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district.

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(Source: Laws 1955, p. 189.)