State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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92_HB1809

 
                                              LRB9204610REdvA

 1        AN ACT concerning open lands.

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

 4        Section 5.  The Illinois Open Land Trust Act  is  amended
 5    by adding Section 40 as follows:

 6        (525 ILCS 33/40 new)
 7        Sec.  40.  Development rights.  A Rural Legacy program is
 8    hereby  established  to  enhance  farmland  protection  while
 9    maintaining the viability  of  resource-based  land  use  and
10    proper  management  of  tillable  and  wooded  areas  through
11    agricultural  and  silvicultural  practices.   The Department
12    shall  cooperate  with  the  Department  of  Agriculture   in
13    developing  a  program  to  purchase  development  rights for
14    farmland preservation.  Funding for this program may  be  10%
15    of  the  total  amount  available  for the Illinois Open Land
16    Trust Program.   The  Department  of  Agriculture  shall,  in
17    cooperation  with the Department, promulgate rules concerning
18    selection, criteria, and eligibility requirements.  The rules
19    must include the following additional requirements:
20             (1)  Selection and acquisition  must  be  consistent
21        with the open space objectives of this Act.
22             (2)  Public  access  for conservation and recreation
23        may be an allowable activity at  the  discretion  of  the
24        landowner.
25             (3)  Development  rights acquisition must be limited
26        to those farming operations that will  enhance  the  open
27        space purpose of this Act.
28             (4)  Funds  may  be  used  to  purchase interests in
29        farmland from willing sellers.   The  interests  acquired
30        under  this program must be for at least 20 years and may
31        not be altered  or  transferred  except  as  provided  in
 
                            -2-               LRB9204610REdvA
 1        paragraph (5) of this Section.
 2             (5)  The  transfer  of development rights subsequent
 3        to the original purchase may be considered subject to the
 4        demonstration   of   an   imperative   public   need,   a
 5        recommendation of the Department, and the approval of the
 6        Governor.
 7             (6)  Any other reasonable requirement as  determined
 8        by  the  Department  of Agriculture, in consultation with
 9        the  Department,  that  is   necessary   to   effectively
10        implement this Act.
11        The  Department  of  Agriculture shall annually report to
12    the Governor and the General Assembly on the status  of  this
13    program.

14        Section  99.   Effective  date.  This Act takes effect on
15    July 1, 2001.

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