(525 ILCS 33/5)
Sec. 5.
Policy.
(a) The provision of lands for the conservation of natural resources and
public recreation promote the public health, prosperity, and general welfare
and are proper
responsibilities of State government.
(b) Lands now dedicated to these purposes are not adequate to protect the
quality
of life and meet the needs of an expanding population.
(c) Natural areas, wetlands, forests, prairies, open spaces, and greenways
provide
critical habitat for fish and wildlife and are in need of protection.
(d) The opportunity to acquire lands that are available and appropriate for
these
purposes will gradually disappear as their cost correspondingly increases.
(e) It is desirable to encourage partnerships among federal, State, and
local
governments and not-for-profit corporations for the acquisition of land for
conservation and
recreation purposes.
(f) It is necessary and desirable to provide assistance in the form of
grants
and loans to units of local government to acquire lands that have significant
conservation and recreation attributes.
(Source: P.A. 91-220, eff. 7-21-99.)
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