SB1417 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 03331 BDA 13353 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1417

Introduced 1/31/2025, by Sen. Steve McClure

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the New Salem Preservation Commission Act. Provides that the New Salem Preservation Commission is created within the Department of Natural Resources for certain purposes related to Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. Provides for 13 members, including members of the General Assembly and others, with the President of the New Salem Lincoln League as chairperson. Provides that the Department shall provide support to the Commission. Provides that the members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Provides that the volunteer coordinator at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site shall submit an annual report to the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall convene and meet at the call of the chairperson and shall meet once a year to tour and assess the Site. Provides that the Commission shall compile an annual report for the General Assembly. Makes findings. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the New Salem Preservation Commission Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site provides historic, interactive interpretation at the reconstructed 1830s village where Abraham Lincoln lived, which at one time, when it was a premier site, hosted more than 400,000 visitors per year from around the world.

(2) Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site has experienced extensive deterioration of the reconstructed log homes, roofs, buildings, foundations, chimneys, fences, steps, footbridge, flatboat, cemetery, and the iconic Grist Mill.

(3) Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site attracts students on field trips, volunteers, campers, hikers, canoeing enthusiasts, kayakers, college interns, cyclists, children to the Pioneer Day Camp, historians, visitors from around the world, and descendants of those who lived, worked and are buried there.

(4) Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site serves as a living history museum with volunteer interpreters in the homes, provides music festivals including the Traditional Music Festivals, concessions, a gift shop, Theater in the Park, campgrounds, exercise areas, trails, Summer Frolic, Independence Day Celebration where the Declaration of Independence is read, Boy Scout jamborees including hikes that trace Lincoln's footsteps to Springfield during the Annual Abraham Lincoln Pilgrimage, Fall Festival and the popular Annual Fall Candlelight Walk.

(5) Since the 1980s, the New Salem Lincoln League has invested more than $1,000,000 in site improvement and programs, such as cultural and educational programs in the village and outdoor theater, production costs for the Visitor Center orientation video and a new state-of-the-art system to replace the Center's aging audio-visual equipment. The League has worked with Theater in the Park, which attracts over 10,000 visitors a year, funding new seating and a new sound board. When the village structures needed new roofs, the League bought the traditional wood shingles and treated wood to replace cabin porches and steps. As New Salem's iconic statues have begun to age, the League has paid to have them professionally cleaned, treated and restored. Site staff requested the League replace lighting systems in the Visitors Center and Visitors Parking Lot. The League funded new LED lighting which saved the Site thousands of dollars. The League has funded the veterinarian care and transportation for the Site's animals, including the purchase of a horse, horse trailer, feed, and hay. The League provides supplies and materials for volunteer efforts, such as clothing, materials for demonstrations, candles for the annual candlelight tour, and meals during the annual candlelight tour for all volunteers and staff. The League partners with the Illinois College Explorer program to fund up to 6 college summer interns.

Section 10. New Salem Preservation Commission created.

(a) The New Salem Preservation Commission is created within the Department of Natural Resources for the following purposes:

(1) to monitor and recommend repairs and maintenance for the structures, signage, statues, overall condition of the grounds, and accessibility at the Site;

(2) to make recommendations for volunteer coordination efforts, including interactions and communications with current and potential volunteers; and

(3) to make recommendations regarding guidelines for volunteer eligibility and retention.

(b) The New Salem Preservation Commission shall consist of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) the President of the New Salem Lincoln League, who shall serve as chairperson of the Commission;

(2) one member from the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) one member from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member from the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) one member from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(6) one expert in 1830s log cabin construction and maintenance, appointed by the President of the New Salem Lincoln League;

(7) two members who are representatives of and are from the community in and around Menard County surrounding Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, appointed by the President of the New Salem Lincoln League;

(8) one member who is a representative of the Division of Historic Preservation of the Department of Natural Resources, appointed by the Division Manager of Historic Preservation of the Department of Natural Resources;

(9) one member who is a representative of the Illinois State Museum, appointed by the Director of the Illinois State Museum;

(10) one member who is a representative of the Abraham Lincoln Association, appointed by the President of the Abraham Lincoln Association;

(11) one member who is a descendant of a New Salem resident, appointed by the President of the New Salem Lincoln League; and

(12) one member who is a representative of the Department of Transportation, appointed by the Secretary of Transportation.

(c) The New Salem Preservation Commission shall convene and meet at the call of the chairperson and shall meet as frequently as necessary to carry out its duties as required by this Act.

(d) The Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative and other support to the New Salem Preservation Commission, including assistance with scheduling, dissemination of information to members, maintaining the minutes of meetings, and other similar support as required.

(e) The members of the New Salem Preservation Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose.

(f) The volunteer coordinator at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site shall submit an annual report regarding the volunteer program and its continuing education programs to the New Salem Preservation Commission. This report shall be reviewed and approved by the members of the New Salem Preservation Commission, and any suggestions will be made to the Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site volunteer coordinator and the Division Manager of Historic Preservation of the Department of Natural Resources for implementation.

(g) The New Salem Preservation Commission shall meet once a year to tour the Site and assess the condition of the structures and grounds. A report compiled by members of the New Salem Preservation Commission shall be submitted to the members of the General Assembly annually regarding the condition of Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, including any recommended repairs or maintenance revealed to be deficient during the course of their inspection tour or reports submitted to the New Salem Preservation Commission by any other concerned parties.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.