SB0824 Engrossed LRB095 05525 HLH 25615 b

1     AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act is
5 amended by changing Sections 6 and 22.03 as follows:
 
6     (70 ILCS 405/6)  (from Ch. 5, par. 111)
7     Sec. 6. Powers and duties. In addition to the powers and
8 duties otherwise conferred upon the Department, it shall have
9 the following powers and duties:
10     (1) To offer such assistance as may be appropriate to the
11 directors of soil and water conservation districts, organized
12 as provided hereinafter, in the carrying out of any of the
13 powers and programs.
14     (2) To keep the directors of each of said several districts
15 informed of the activities and experience of other such
16 districts, and to facilitate an interchange of advice and
17 experience between such districts and cooperation between
18 them.
19     (3) To coordinate the programs of the several districts so
20 far as this may be done by advice and consultation.
21     (4) To seek the cooperation and assistance of the United
22 States and of agencies of this State, in the work of such
23 districts.

 

 

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1     (5) To disseminate information throughout the State
2 concerning the formation of such districts, and to assist in
3 the formation of such districts in areas where their
4 organization is desirable.
5     (6) To consider, review, and express its opinion concerning
6 any rules, regulations, ordinances or other action of the board
7 of directors of any district and to advise such board of
8 directors accordingly.
9     (7) To prepare and submit to the Director of the Department
10 an annual budget.
11     (8) To develop and coordinate a comprehensive State erosion
12 and sediment control program, including guidelines to be used
13 by districts in implementing this program. In developing this
14 program, the Department may consult with and request technical
15 assistance from local, State and federal agencies, and may
16 consult and advise with technically qualified persons and with
17 the soil and water conservation districts. The guidelines
18 developed may be revised from time to time as necessary.
19     (9) To promote among its members the management of marginal
20 agricultural and other rural lands for forestry, consistent
21 with the goals and purposes of the "Illinois Forestry
22 Development Act".
23     Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Department or any
24 district to regulate or control point source discharges to
25 waters.
26     (10) To make grants subject to annual appropriation from

 

 

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1 the the Build Illinois Bond Fund or any other sources,
2 including the federal government, to Soil and Water
3 Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation
4 Service. After a grant amount has been determined for a Soil
5 and Water Conservation District or the Natural Resources
6 Conservation Service, but not fully expended, that amount may,
7 upon consultation with the Soil and Water Conservation District
8 or the Natural Resources Conservation Council, be reduced by an
9 amount less than the amount that remains unexpended, in order
10 to make supplemental grants to a different Soil and Water
11 Conservation District or to the Natural Resources Conservation
12 Service Soil Conservation Service.
13     (11) To provide payment for outstanding health care costs
14 of Soil and Water Conservation District employees incurred
15 between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996 that were
16 eligible for reimbursement from the District's insurance
17 carrier, Midcontinent Medical Benefit Trust, but have not been
18 paid to date by Midcontinent. All claims shall be filed with
19 the Department on or before January 30, 1998 to be considered
20 for payment under the provisions of this amendatory Act of
21 1997. The Department shall approve or reject claims based upon
22 documentation and in accordance with established procedures.
23 The authority granted under this item (11) expires on September
24 1, 1998.
25     Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Department in any
26 district to regulate or curtail point source discharges to

 

 

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1 waters.
2 (Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)
 
3     (70 ILCS 405/22.03)  (from Ch. 5, par. 127.3)
4     Sec. 22.03. Cooperation with other entities.
5     (a) To cooperate, or enter into agreements with, and within
6 the limits of appropriations duly made available to it by law,
7 to furnish financial or other aid to, any agency, governmental
8 or otherwise, or any owner or occupier of lands within the
9 district, in the carrying on of erosion-control and flood
10 prevention operations within the district, subject to such
11 conditions as the directors may deem necessary to advance the
12 purposes of this Act.
13     (b) If property is located outside of the district but is
14 administered within the district for the purpose of U.S.
15 Department of Agriculture programs, then, for the purpose of
16 this Section, that property is deemed to be within the
17 district.
18 (Source: Laws 1955, p. 189.)