HB5515 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17941 TRT 31378 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5515

Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Yolonda Morris

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 1505/7.08a new

Amends the Chicago Park District Act. Authorizes the Chicago Park District, in collaboration with the botanic gardens authorized under the Forest Preserve Botanic Gardens Act, to establish, maintain, and manage small public gardens throughout the City of Chicago. Provides that each public garden shall include a native landscape aimed at protecting butterfly populations that migrate through the City of Chicago. Defines "Illinois native plants" and "native landscape".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning conservation.

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

Section 5. The Chicago Park District Act is amended by adding Section 7.08a as follows:

(70 ILCS 1505/7.08a new)

Sec. 7.08a. Native butterfly garden.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Illinois native plants" means trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, flowers, forbs, sedges, grasses, and other plants growing in the State of Illinois before European settlement. "Illinois native plants" does not include exotic or noxious weeds regulated under the Illinois Noxious Weed Law or the Illinois Exotic Weed Act.

"Native landscape" means an intentionally maintained area of trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, flowers, forbs, sedges, grasses, and other plants composed mainly of Illinois native plants. "Native landscape" does not include exotic or noxious weeds regulated under the Illinois Noxious Weed Law or the Illinois Exotic Weed Act.

(b) The Chicago Park District shall, in collaboration with the botanic gardens authorized under the Forest Preserve Botanic Gardens Act, establish, maintain, and manage small public gardens throughout the City of Chicago. Each public garden shall include a native landscape aimed at protecting butterfly populations that migrate through the City of Chicago.