(525 ILCS 30/1) (from Ch. 105, par. 701)

Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act".

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/2) (from Ch. 105, par. 702)

Sec. 2. All areas within the State except those that are expressly designated by law for preservation and protection in their natural condition are liable to be altered by human activity. Natural lands and waters together with the plants and animals living thereon in natural communities are a part of the heritage of the people. They are of value for scientific research, for teaching, as reservoirs of natural materials not all of the potential uses of which are now known, as habitats for rare and vanishing species, as places of historic and natural interest and scenic beauty and as living museums of the native landscape wherein one may envision and experience primeval conditions in a wilderness-like environment. They also contribute generally to the public health and welfare and the environmental quality of the State.

It is therefore the public policy of the State of Illinois to secure for the people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of natural areas, including the elements of natural diversity present in the State, by establishing a system of nature preserves, protecting nature preserves and gathering and disseminating information regarding them, providing for appropriate use of nature preserves that will not damage them, establishing and maintaining a register of natural areas and buffer areas, providing certain forms of protection and control of registered natural areas and registered buffer areas and otherwise encouraging and assisting in the preservation of natural areas and features.

(Source: P.A. 85-150.)

(525 ILCS 30/3) (from Ch. 105, par. 703)

Sec. 3. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in Sections 3.01 through 3.16 have the meanings ascribed to them in those Sections.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.01) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.01)

Sec. 3.01. "Abandoned cemetery" means a cemetery (a) in which no interments have been made and no parts of which have been conveyed or transferred (other than by inheritance or operation of law) for at least 30 years, (b) which has been exempt from real estate taxes for at least 30 years and (c) for which there is no cemetery authority.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.02) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.02)

Sec. 3.02. "Buffer area" means an area of land, any estate, interest or right in which has been dedicated or registered under this Act as a buffer area because it protects, provides access to or otherwise serves as a necessary adjunct to a nature preserve or registered natural area or because in the opinion of the Commission it will, with protection, become a natural area suitable for dedication as a nature preserve in the future.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.03) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.03)

Sec. 3.03. "Cemetery" means a parcel of land devoted to, or at least a part of which has been used for, the interment of human remains.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.04) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.04)

Sec. 3.04. "Cemetery authority" means a legally authorized owner, operator, manager or other person in control of a cemetery and actively attending to its care and maintenance.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.05) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.05)

Sec. 3.05. "Commission" means the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission created under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.06) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.06)

Sec. 3.06. "Dedicate" means to set aside land in perpetuity as a nature preserve or as a buffer area as provided in this Act for the benefit of the public, thereby subjecting the land to a negative easement in favor of the public and precluding the owner from asserting any right of ownership inconsistent with this Act or the dedication.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.07) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.07)

Sec. 3.07. "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.08) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.08)

Sec. 3.08. "Director" means the Director of the Department, who may be represented by his designated agents.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.09) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.09)

Sec. 3.09. "Land" means real property and ownership rights applying thereto and includes water and the land thereunder, structures and improvements.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.10) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.10)

Sec. 3.10. "Natural area" means an area of land in public or private ownership which, in the opinion of the Commission, either retains or has recovered to a substantial degree its original natural or primeval character, though it need not be completely undisturbed, or has floral, faunal, ecological, geological or archaeological features of scientific, educational, scenic or esthetic interest.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.11) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.11)

Sec. 3.11. "Nature preserve" means a natural area, and land necessary for its protection, any estate, interest or right in which has been dedicated under this Act to be maintained as nearly as possible in its natural condition and to be used in a manner and under limitations consistent with its continued preservation, without impairment, disturbance or artificial development, for the public purposes of present and future scientific research, education, esthetic enjoyment and providing habitat for plant and animal species and communities and other natural objects.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.12) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.12)

Sec. 3.12. "Plan" means a master plan, developed and approved in accordance with the rules, for the preservation, protection, development, management and use of a nature preserve or a registered area.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.13) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.13)

Sec. 3.13. "Register" means the official list of registered areas or to place an area on such list.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.14) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.14)

Sec. 3.14. "Registered area" means a natural area or a buffer area registered by the Department under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.15) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.15)

Sec. 3.15. "Rules" means rules adopted by the Commission in conjunction with the Department under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/3.16) (from Ch. 105, par. 703.16)

Sec. 3.16. "System" means the State system of nature preserves established under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/4) (from Ch. 105, par. 704)

Sec. 4. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission is created. The Commission succeeds and continues the Commission created by "An Act relating to the creation of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and defining its powers and duties", approved August 28, 1963, as amended. The Commission consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor. The Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Director of the Illinois State Museum shall advise the Governor on the making of appointments to the Commission and shall recommend persons suitable for appointment. The Governor shall obtain the advice of the Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Director of the Illinois State Museum concerning the suitability of any person he proposes to appoint as a member of the Commission. Members shall be persons who have demonstrated an interest in the preservation of natural areas. The members of the Commission created by "An Act relating to the creation of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and defining its powers and duties", approved August 28, 1963, as amended, incumbent on the effective date of this Act, shall serve as members of this Commission until the expiration of their terms under that Act, with the terms of 3 members expiring on June 30 of each year. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Their successors shall be appointed for 3-year terms, expiring on June 30. When an appointment is made to fill a vacancy, the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member of the Commission who has served 2 consecutive full terms is ineligible for reappointment for a period of one year following the expiration of the second term.

The Commission shall select from its membership a chairman and such other officers as it considers necessary and shall adopt policies and rules for conducting its affairs, transacting its business and keeping records. The Commission shall meet annually or more frequently upon the call of the chairman or 3 members. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/5) (from Ch. 105, par. 705)

Sec. 5. The Director, the Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Director of the Illinois State Museum, or their representatives, and representatives of such other agencies, institutions and organizations as the Commission may determine shall serve as advisors to the Commission. The Commission may appoint consultants. Advisors and consultants shall have the privilege of discussion and debate, but without the right to vote, in the meetings of the Commission. They shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. The Commission may meet without the participation of the advisors and consultants when it so desires.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6) (from Ch. 105, par. 706)

Sec. 6. To effectuate the purposes of this Act, the Commission has the powers and duties enumerated in Sections 6.01 through 6.09 and elsewhere in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.01) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.01)

Sec. 6.01. To compile and maintain inventories, registers and records of nature preserves, other natural areas and features, and species of plants and animals and their habitats and establish a fee, by rule, to be collected to recover the actual cost of collecting, storing, managing, compiling, and providing access to such inventories, registers, and records. All fees collected under this Section shall be deposited into the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund. The monies deposited into the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.02) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.02)

Sec. 6.02. To seek and approve the dedication of nature preserves as part of the system.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.03) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.03)

Sec. 6.03. To prepare, or guide and participate in the preparation of, master plans for nature preserves, to keep watch over the protection, management and use of nature preserves, and to approve or disapprove the manner of holding and managing any nature preserve.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.04) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.04)

Sec. 6.04. To conduct investigations and to disseminate information and recommendations pertaining to nature preserves; other natural areas; and habitats of endangered, threatened or rare species of plants and animals and other elements of natural diversity.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.05) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.05)

Sec. 6.05. To promote by advice and other assistance the protection of natural areas in the State which are not dedicated as nature preserves.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.06) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.06)

Sec. 6.06. To submit to the Governor, and to publish, before May 1 of each odd-numbered year a report which shall account for the condition of each nature preserve and each registered area and shall set forth actions of the Commission relating to the status of nature preserves and registered areas; and to publish such additional reports as it deems necessary.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.07) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.07)

Sec. 6.07. To formulate and adopt policies for (a) development and maintenance of the nature preserves system; (b) selection, acquisition, management, protection and use of dedicated and registered areas; (c) dedication of land within the system; (d) registration of areas; (e) protection of registered areas; (f) protection of habitats of endangered, threatened or rare species; (g) protection of geological sites; and (h) protection of archaeological sites and artifacts.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.08) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.08)

Sec. 6.08. To adopt rules in accordance with the "Illinois Administrative Procedure Act", for (a) development and maintenance of the nature preserves system; (b) selection, acquisition, management, protection and use of dedicated and registered areas; (c) dedication of land within the system; (d) registration of areas; (e) protection of registered areas; (f) protection of habitats of endangered, threatened or rare species; (g) protection of geological sites; and (h) protection of archaeological sites and artifacts. Such rules shall be promulgated after consultation with and written approval by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 83-1072.)

(525 ILCS 30/6.09) (from Ch. 105, par. 706.09)

Sec. 6.09. To accept and administer, with the approval of the Director, gifts, grants and legacies of money, securities or other property to be used by the Commission for the purposes of this Act and according to the tenor of such gift, grant or legacy.

(Source: P.A. 83-388.)

(525 ILCS 30/7) (from Ch. 105, par. 707)

Sec. 7. To effectuate the purposes of this Act, the Department has the powers and duties enumerated in sections 7.01 through 7.06 and elsewhere in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.01) (from Ch. 105, par. 707.01)

Sec. 7.01. To dedicate land held by the Department as nature preserves as provided in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.02) (from Ch. 105, par. 707.02)

Sec. 7.02. To cooperate with the Commission in matters relating to the purposes of this Act, and, at its discretion, to provide to the Commission upon its request, services, supplies, funds, facilities and other assistance.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.03) (from Ch. 105, par. 707.03)

Sec. 7.03. To review and approve in writing rules promulgated by the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 83-1072.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.04) (from Ch. 105, par. 707.04)

Sec. 7.04. To enforce rules pertaining to public use of and activities on nature preserves and buffer areas.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.05) (from Ch. 105, par. 707.05)

Sec. 7.05. To acquire by gift, legacy, purchase, transfer, grant, agreement, dedication, or condemnation under the Eminent Domain Act, as amended, or other method, the fee simple title to real property or any lesser estates, interests or rights therein, including but not limited to leasehold estates, easements either appurtenant or in gross and either granting the Department specified rights of use or denying to the grantor specified rights of use or both (which easements may be perpetual and shall not be extinguished by conveyance of the servient estate), licenses, covenants, and other contractual rights in real property and to hold and manage the same for the purposes of this Act, and with or without public access.

(Source: P.A. 96-328, eff. 8-11-09.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.05a)

Sec. 7.05a. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(525 ILCS 30/7.06) (from Ch. 105, par. 707.06)

Sec. 7.06. To register natural areas and buffer areas.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/8) (from Ch. 105, par. 708)

Sec. 8. There shall be a master plan for each nature preserve or registered area. The manner of preparation, review and adoption of the plan shall be as provided by rules.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/9) (from Ch. 105, par. 709)

Sec. 9. A State system of nature preserves is established. The system consists of nature preserves dedicated as provided in this Act.

A natural area which has been found by the Commission to be suitable for inclusion in the system shall become a nature preserve upon its dedication by the owner of the land, or of an interest or a right therein, with the approval of the Commission and the Governor. Dedication may be either donative or for a consideration. The dedication shall be evidenced by an instrument of dedication which shall be in such form as the Commission may approve. So long as consistent with the purposes of this Act, the instrument of dedication may (a) define the respective rights and duties of the owner or custodian and the Commission; (b) contain provisions relating to management, development, use, public access, sale or transfer; (c) provide procedures to be applied in case of violation of its provisions; (d) recognize or create reversionary rights, transfers upon conditions and gifts; (e) contain such other provisions as may be necessary or advisable and (f) vary in provisions from one nature preserve to another in accordance with differences in the characteristics and conditions of the areas involved. No condition of the instrument of dedication shall limit the perpetuity of the dedication except that preexisting encumbrances on the land may be recognized.

The Commission may cause the instrument of dedication and any amendments thereto to be filed for record in the office of the recorder of each county in which the nature preserve is located.

(Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(525 ILCS 30/10) (from Ch. 105, par. 710)

Sec. 10. An area may be dedicated as a buffer area in the same manner as provided in this Act for the dedication of a nature preserve. A dedicated buffer area shall have the same status and protection under this Act as a nature preserve, including being subject to the provisions of Section 14, except that the Commission, the Governor and any public owner of a dedicated interest therein may jointly approve a taking of land therefrom, or allow an intrusion thereon, for another public use after a finding by the Commission that such taking or intrusion would be in the public interest. A dedicated buffer area may be dedicated as a nature preserve.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/11) (from Ch. 105, par. 711)

Sec. 11. Any part or all of a cemetery that is suitable for dedication may be dedicated, as provided in this Act, by the owner or other cemetery authority. Dedication of a cemetery or a part thereof does not affect its status as a cemetery nor affect any rights of continuing use of the cemetery for cemetery purposes including the maintenance, construction or preservation of markers, monuments or memorials, the care of any burial space or the use of a burial space for an interment, except that, after the cemetery is dedicated, the cemetery authority shall not convey or assign any right of interment or authorize any interment for which there was not a prior right and any maintenance or construction activity shall be in accordance with the rules and the master plan.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/12) (from Ch. 105, par. 712)

Sec. 12. If all or part of an abandoned cemetery is suitable for dedication, the county board for the county in which it is situated may dedicate it in the manner provided in this Act. If a county board proposes and intends to dedicate a described abandoned cemetery or part thereof, it shall so notify the Commission by resolution. Upon receiving the resolution of the county board, the Commission shall, in a manner to be provided by rules, give public notice of the proposal and provide an opportunity for any person to be heard at a public meeting or to request the holding of a public meeting on the question of whether the cemetery is an abandoned cemetery and, if so, whether it should be dedicated. If, after considering any statements it receives on the matter, the Commission decides the cemetery is an abandoned cemetery and that it should be dedicated, the county board may dedicate the cemetery or part thereof as provided in Section 9.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/13) (from Ch. 105, par. 713)

Sec. 13. An owner of a nature preserve retains custody, administration and management thereof, or may assign, lease or convey an interest or ownership therein, or contract for the custody, maintenance or operation thereof, subject to the instrument of dedication, the policies of the Commission, the rules, the plan and this Act. The Department, the Commission and others may participate in management or custody of a nature preserve as provided by the instrument of dedication or the rules.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/14) (from Ch. 105, par. 714)

Sec. 14. Nature preserves are held in trust, for those uses and purposes expressed in this Act which are not prohibited by their instruments of dedication, for the benefit of the people of the State of present and future generations. Areas dedicated as nature preserves are hereby declared to be put to their highest, best and most important use for the public benefit. They shall be protected, managed and used in the manner provided by rules. They may not be taken under power of eminent domain or by other means for any other use except another public use and except upon approval of the Commission, the Governor and any public owner of a dedicated interest therein after a finding by the Commission of the existence of an imperative and unavoidable public necessity for such other public use, and upon such terms and conditions as the Commission may determine, except as may otherwise be provided in the instrument of dedication.

The owner of an interest or right in a nature preserve may amend the instrument of dedication, with the approval of the Commission and the Governor, after the Commission has determined that the amendment will not permit an impairment, disturbance, development or use of the nature preserve or the natural features therein in a manner inconsistent with the purposes of this Act.

Before the Commission may make a finding of the existence of an imperative and unavoidable public necessity for another public use, grant or dispose of a nature preserve, grant a license, easement or other interest or right therein or amend any instrument of dedication, it shall, in a manner to be provided by rules, give public notice of the proposed action and provide an opportunity for any person to be heard at a public meeting or to request the holding of a public meeting.

The Commission may cause any legal instrument altering the status of a nature preserve to be filed for record in the office of the recorder for each county in which the nature preserve is located.

(Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(525 ILCS 30/15) (from Ch. 105, par. 715)

Sec. 15. Any public agency or instrumentality of the State and its political subdivisions has the power, and is urged, to dedicate suitable areas or portions of areas within its holdings and to continue holding them as nature preserves. Any public agency or instrumentality holding a natural area with the intention of preserving natural conditions thereon or for a purpose the Commission determines to be compatible with dedication of the area as a nature preserve shall dedicate it, subject to approval of the Commission and the Governor.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/16) (from Ch. 105, par. 716)

Sec. 16. A register of areas is established. The register consists of areas registered by the Department under this Act with the approval of the Commission and the owner.

A registered area may be in public or private ownership and may or may not be proposed for public acquisition. A registered area may include a dedicated area.

The register shall include areas determined by the Commission to be worthy of preservation for the public purposes and policies set forth in this Act. The manner of registration of areas and of protection, control and management of registered areas shall be as provided by rules. No natural area shall be construed to be unworthy of preservation because it is not registered. Publication of the register is notice to all persons that the registered areas are worthy of preservation.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/17) (from Ch. 105, par. 717)

Sec. 17. All public agencies shall recognize that the protection of nature preserves, buffer areas and registered areas is the public policy of the State and shall avoid the planning of any action that would adversely affect them.

It shall be the public policy of each agency of State or local government to utilize its authority in furtherance of the purposes of this Act, and to evaluate, through a process of consultation with the Department, whether the actions, including capital projects, that are authorized, funded, or carried out by the agency of State or local government are likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of any natural area that is registered under this Act or identified in the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.

The evaluation shall be conducted early in the planning of a proposed action. If the proposed action is found likely to have an adverse impact on a natural area, the agency shall study the proposed action to determine possible methods of eliminating or mitigating the adverse impact. Before implementing any action, the agency shall attempt to mitigate or eliminate any adverse impacts in a manner consistent with the planned action. The Department, Commission, or any affected person may seek a writ of mandamus to compel an agency of State or local government to engage in the evaluation and study required by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 88-139.)

(525 ILCS 30/18) (from Ch. 105, par. 718)

Sec. 18. No public agency shall designate an area as a nature preserve unless it is dedicated as a nature preserve under this Act or unless such designation is approved by the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/19) (from Ch. 105, par. 719)

Sec. 19. The dedication or registration of an area or any other action taken under this Act shall not void or replace any protective status under law which an area would have were it not a dedicated or registered area, the protective provisions of this Act being supplemental thereto.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/20) (from Ch. 105, par. 720)

Sec. 20. This Act does not provide public access to land without agreement of the owner thereof.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/21) (from Ch. 105, par. 721)

Sec. 21. The Attorney General, or the State's Attorney of the county where a nature preserve or registered area is located, may, upon his own motion or upon request of the Commission, institute a civil action for an injunction, or other appropriate legal action, to restrain violations of this Act or of any rule. In such a proceeding the court shall determine whether a violation has been committed and shall enter such orders as it considers necessary to remove the effects of any violation and to prevent such violation from continuing or from being renewed in the future.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/22) (from Ch. 105, par. 722)

Sec. 22. Any person who violates this Act or any rule, or causes such violation by his employee or agent, shall be liable for a civil penalty of not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, such penalty to be recovered in an action brought by the Attorney General or the State's Attorney in the circuit court. The penalty shall be used to restore the nature preserve or registered area or to secure the preservation of similar areas.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/23) (from Ch. 105, par. 723)

Sec. 23. Any person who, directly or through an employee or agent, (a) willfully kills, injures, disturbs or removes any animal or plant or willfully damages, destroys or removes any object, or attempts to do any of the preceding, on a dedicated area, except as provided by rule for scientific research or for management to preserve or restore natural conditions, or on a registered area, except as provided by rule, (b) enters a dedicated or registered area that is closed to the public contrary to the rules or without permission of the owner or custodian or (c) otherwise violates this Act or any rule is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. When the violation is a continuing offense, each day shall be considered a separate violation. Enforcements under Sections 21, 22 and 23 may be concurrent or separate.

(Source: P.A. 85-150.)

(525 ILCS 30/24) (from Ch. 105, par. 724)

Sec. 24. Conservation Police Officers, other employees designated by the Director, sheriffs and other police officers shall enforce this Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and are empowered to arrest any person detected in violation thereof.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)

(525 ILCS 30/25) (from Ch. 105, par. 725)

Sec. 25. All final administrative decisions under this Act are subject to judicial review under the "Administrative Review Law", as now or hereafter amended, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the "Administrative Review Law".

(Source: P.A. 83-1539.)

(525 ILCS 30/26) (from Ch. 105, par. 726)

Sec. 26. All actions heretofore effected and all areas dedicated under Sections 1a, 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d of "An Act in relation to the acquisition, control, maintenance, improvement and protection of State parks and nature preserves", approved June 26, 1925, as amended, "An Act relating to the creation of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and defining its powers and duties", approved August 28, 1963, as amended, and "An Act in relation to the designation of abandoned cemeteries as nature preserves", approved September 5, 1975, including adoption of rules, policies, and resolutions by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, dedication of areas as nature preserves and dedication of buffer areas shall, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, continue in effect without impairment or interruption and be subject to this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-445.)