SB1417sam002 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Steve McClure

Filed: 4/3/2025

10400SB1417sam002 LRB104 03331 BDA 24537 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 1417

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 1417 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 1. Short title. This Article may be cited as the New Salem Historic Site Restoration Act.

Section 5. Findings and purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) New Salem is a historic site of significant cultural and historical value.

(2) The Grist Mill and other structures within New Salem have fallen into disrepair.

(3) The preservation and restoration of New Salem's structures are in the public interest for the purposes of maintaining historical integrity and promoting tourism.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to do the following:

(1) require the Department of Natural Resources to conduct an immediate site assessment of New Salem, including the Grist Mill; and

(2) require the Department of Natural Resources to submit a comprehensive report to the General Assembly detailing the current conditions of New Salem's structures and a plan for restoration.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act, "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.

Section 15. Site assessment and reporting requirements.

(a) The Department shall, within 30 days after the effective date of this Act, conduct a thorough site assessment of the New Salem State Historic Site, including the Grist Mill and any other structures deemed necessary.

(b) The assessment shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1) an evaluation of the structural integrity of all buildings and facilities at the site;

(2) an identification of the site restoration activities needed to return each structure to its original condition;

(3) the estimated costs of and a timeline for full restoration of the site; and

(4) any recommendations for ongoing site maintenance needed to prevent future deterioration of the site.

(c) No later than 90 days after the commencement of the site assessment under this Section, the Department shall submit a report detailing its findings and a proposed renovation plan to the General Assembly.

Section 80. The Historic Preservation Act is amended by changing Sections 4.7 and 8 and by adding Section 9 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3405/4.7)

Sec. 4.7. State Historic Preservation Board.

(a) The State Historic Preservation Board is hereby created within the Department.

(b) The Board shall consist of 11 9 voting members appointed by the Governor and the Director of the Department, or the Director's designee, who shall serve as an ex officio ex-officio nonvoting member of the Board. Of the members appointed by the Governor:

(1) 2 members shall have a relevant background in public history or a background in teaching or researching either the history of Illinois or the history of historically marginalized communities;

(2) one member shall have experience in library studies or archival work in Illinois;

(3) 3 members shall be representatives of a community-based organization working on historic preservation in Illinois;

(4) one member shall have experience with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

(5) one member shall have experience working on federal historic designations; and

(6) one member shall be a museum professional; and .

(7) 2 members whose primary interest is in preserving the Abraham Lincoln legacy at New Salem and other sites in central Illinois, who may include, but not be limited to, a representative from the New Salem Lincoln League or a representative from the Abraham Lincoln Association.

The chairperson of the Board shall be named by the Governor from among the voting members of the Board. Each member of the Board shall serve a 3-year term and until a successor is appointed by the Governor. The Governor may remove a Board member for incompetence, dereliction of duty, or malfeasance. Of those members appointed by the Governor, at least 5 of the members shall represent historically excluded and marginalized people. The Governor's Office, with the assistance of the Department, shall be responsible for ensuring that 5 of the appointed members of the Board consist of people who represent historically excluded and marginalized people. Knowledge in the following areas shall be prioritized in making appointments to the Board: the culture, traditions, and history of American Indians and Native Americans, Black Americans, Latinos, Latinas, and Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, and veterans' organizations; women's history; the history of Illinois' agriculture, architecture, armed forces, arts, civics, cultural geography, ecology, education, faith-based communities, folklore, government, industry, labor, law, medicine, and transportation; anthropology; archaeology; cultural exhibits and museums; heritage tourism; historic preservation; and social justice.

(c) Board meetings shall be called at regular intervals set by the Board, on the request of the Department, or upon written notice signed by at least 5 members of the Board, but in no event less than once quarterly.

(d) A majority of the members of the Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board. If a quorum is met, a majority of the members present and serving is required for official action of the Board.

(e) All business that the Board is authorized to perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the Board, held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.

(f) Public records of the Board are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

(g) The members of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties as members of the Board from funds appropriated for that purpose. Reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging shall be in accordance with the rules of the Governor's Travel Control Board.

(h) The Board has the following powers and duties:

(1) The Board shall adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, for the administration and execution of the powers granted under this Act. All rules that are authorized to be adopted under this Act shall be adopted after consultation with and written approval by the Department.

(2) The Board shall list, delist, create specific list designations, create designation definitions, create property assessment criteria, or change the listing designation of State Historic Sites. Such actions shall be undertaken by administrative rule. The listing, delisting, creation of specific list designations or designation definitions, or change of listing designation by the Board shall only be done with the written approval of the Director of Natural Resources. When listing, delisting, or making a change of listing designation, the Board shall consider, but is not limited to, the following:

(A) the budgetary impact on the full historic sites portfolio when taking such action;

(B) if the action includes the stories of historically excluded and marginalized people;

(C) the geographic balance of the portfolio;

(D) disability access;

(E) opportunities to coordinate with federal historic designations or federal funding opportunities; and

(F) any other criteria that have been set out in administrative rule.

(3) The Board shall advise the Department on methods of assistance, protection, conservation, and management of State Historic Sites, including upkeep, maintenance, and preservation, which are all subject to Department approval and available appropriations to implement those recommendations.

(i) The Department shall provide administrative support to the Board.

(Source: P.A. 103-768, eff. 8-2-24; revised 10-24-24.)

(20 ILCS 3405/8)

Sec. 8. Business plans. The Department shall create an individual business plan for each historic site related to Abraham Lincoln that is listed in the relevant administrative rule. Each business plan must address ways to enhance tourism at the historic site and the historic aspect of each site. The Department shall seek advice from local Friends of Abraham Lincoln support groups and may seek assistance from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity when creating the business plans. The Department shall complete the business plans no later than December 31, 2025 January 1, 2008.

(Source: P.A. 103-768, eff. 8-2-24.)

(20 ILCS 3405/9 new)

Sec. 9. New Salem Historic Site Restoration Act duties. The Department shall exercise all rights, powers, and duties set forth in the New Salem Historic Site Restoration Act.

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