HR0869 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0869 LRB098 20395 GRL 56036 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to numerous scientific reports, including federal government reports by the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there has been a decline in honeybee colonies throughout the United States due to numerous factors, including lack of food sources; and

WHEREAS, Honeybees pollinate a long list of crops, including Illinois' number one crop in 2013, soybeans; and

WHEREAS, The effects of colony collapse disorder has been profound on the honeybee population in the United States; according to the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, one-third of the nation's bees die each year; and

WHEREAS, Large geographic areas that specialize in one agricultural crop, like corn, can pose a risk to the insects by providing a limited food source; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated the Illinois Department of Transportation spent over $14 million in Fiscal Year 2013 on the mowing of State highway medians in a time when our State's revenues have declined; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, the Illinois Department of Transportation piloted a beautification effort planting wildflowers along roadways in 23 Illinois locations for the beautification of our State's commerce and tourism gateways; and

WHEREAS, Low height wildflowers planted in median strips in Illinois would assist with water retention, minimize storm water runoff costs, and help beautify Illinois roadways; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Transportation to work together to create a program where Illinois Correctional Facility inmates can raise wildflowers and plant them in designated roadway medians as determined by the Illinois Department of Transportation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage cooperation between the two agencies to work toward the goal of annual growth in the number of median strip low-height wildflower plantings in an effort that would save the State money in mowing costs, encourage better storm water management practices along interstates, encourage natural growth in honeybee populations, provide agronomic job skills for Illinois inmate population, and beautify our State's interstate system; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Transportation to work together toward furthering a new pilot program to accomplish these tasks; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.