Section 110.120  Restricted Areas

It shall be unlawful, on Department-owned, -leased or –managed property or facilities:

a)         For any person not authorized by the Department to enter or remain in any area or on any trail when that area or trail has, in whole or in part, been temporarily closed to use by visitors. Such closure shall be posted at the area or trail.  Site Superintendents and Law Enforcement Officers of the Department, as well as other peace officers, are authorized to prohibit the use of closed areas, and it shall be unlawful for any person to disobey the rules and regulations posted relative to the closed area or the instruction/direction of authorized personnel.

b)         For any person to enter or remain on any portion of a dedicated nature preserve area where posted rules and regulations prohibit entry to protect the natural fauna or flora within the area.

c)         For any person to operate a non-handheld metal or mineral detection device. Persons must obtain a permit from the Department through the  Chief of Lands, in advance, indicating the location where handheld devices will be used.  Further, only a small pen knife, icepick or screwdriver shall be used by the permittee to recover any find in the area designated.  After completing detection activity, the permittee must return the work area to its original state.  No shovels, picks or entrenching devices of any size shall be used.

d)         For any person to collect firewood or operate a chain saw in any area that has been closed or posted to prohibit that use.  Department Site Superintendents shall prohibit such use in any area that does not allow the collecting of firewood, or has experienced illegal cutting of timber.

e)         For any person to use electronic or electrical speakers or sound amplification system that emits sound into the use area of others at a volume that is disturbing or annoying to a reasonable person, except as authorized by Department permit.  The decision to grant or deny a permit will be based upon the reason for the request and the time, date and type of activity, balanced against public enjoyment of the park.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12553, effective September 24, 2021)