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90_HB1628enr
New Act
Creates the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Museum Act to
provide for the continuing conservation, operation, and
maintenance of the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Museum. Creates
the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Foundation as a means through
which funds may be raised, invested, and disbursed to
accomplish the purposes of the Act. Creates the Illinois
Wildlife Prairie Museum Commission to govern the Foundation.
Provides that the Foundation shall seek the guidance of and
consult with the Board of the Illinois State Museum on all
matters relating to the operation of the Illinois Wildlife
Prairie Museum. Creates the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Museum
Fund. Provides that before January 1, 1998, the Comptroller
shall order the Treasurer to transfer $10,000,000 from the
General Revenue Fund into the Fund for maintenance,
operating, and development costs incurred by the Foundation.
Provides that the Foundation may use the moneys in the Fund,
subject to appropriation, for the purpose of administering
the conservation, operation, and maintenance of the Illinois
Wildlife Prairie Museum. Provides that the State of Illinois
accepts the conveyance of the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
along with its appurtenances in trust as provided in the deed
of conveyance, subject to lease with an affiliate of the Paul
Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the Buffalo Prairie Gang
Camp, and the Peoria Area Historical Drama, Inc. and subject
to the condition that the property is forever used for the
conservation of natural resources, including the propagation
of wild flowers and plants, a habitat for native fauna.
LRB9003788KDmbA
HB1628 Enrolled LRB9003788KDmbA
1 AN ACT concerning the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park.
2 WHEREAS, The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park (the "Park")
3 is an approximately 1,200 acre park that is located in
4 Peoria County and contains woodlands, grasslands, hiking
5 trails, educational exhibits, miniature trains, and museum,
6 banquet, food service, and lodging accommodations; and
7 WHEREAS, The Park is home to several species of animals
8 that are all native to the State of Illinois, many of which
9 can be found only in this Park; and further, these animals
10 are kept in large free-roaming areas so that people can
11 observe them in their natural habitats; and
12 WHEREAS, The mission of the Park is to promote
13 conservation, education, recreation, and tourism; and
14 WHEREAS, The owner of the Park wishes to give the Park to
15 a public body that will oversee its operations and continue
16 to maintain the Park with the same standard in which it was
17 created; therefore
18 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
19 represented in the General Assembly:
20 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
21 Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Act.
22 Section 5. Purpose. The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
23 Commission shall be responsible for providing for the
24 continuing conservation, operation, and maintenance of the
25 Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park.
26 Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless
27 the context otherwise requires:
28 "Commission" means the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
HB1628 Enrolled -2- LRB9003788KDmbA
1 Commission created by this Act.
2 "Foundation" means the Wildlife Prairie Park
3 Not-For-Profit Illinois Corporation having its principal
4 place of business in Peoria County, Illinois.
5 "Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park" means the Wildlife
6 Prairie Park located in Peoria County, Illinois.
7 Section 15. Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Commission.
8 The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Commission is created to
9 accept moneys from the State and other private or public
10 entities on behalf of the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park and
11 to oversee the financial management of any such moneys used
12 for the benefit of the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park. The
13 Commission shall be composed of 5 members. Membership of the
14 Commission shall be composed of the Lieutenant Governor, who
15 shall be the chairman of the Commission, and 4 other persons
16 appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the
17 Senate, who have demonstrated an interest in recreation,
18 education, and the conservation of natural resources,
19 including the propagation of wild flowers and plants and the
20 habitat for native fauna. All members shall be ex officio
21 directors of the board of the Foundation or the Foundation's
22 successor. Members of the Commission appointed by the
23 Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years and until
24 their successors are appointed; provided that of the
25 Commissioners first appointed, one shall serve a term of 2
26 years, one shall serve a term of 3 years, and 2 shall serve
27 terms of 4 years as determined by drawing lots. Members of
28 the Commission shall receive no compensation for their
29 services, except for their actual and necessary expenses
30 incurred in the performance of their official duties. Three
31 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum to do
32 business, and the concurrence of at least 3 members shall be
33 necessary for a decision. The Commission shall hold regular
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1 quarterly meetings. Special meetings may be called by the
2 chairperson and shall be called on the request of a majority
3 of members, as may be required.
4 The Commission shall provide for the proper and safe
5 keeping of its permanent records. It shall keep a system of
6 accounts showing a true and accurate record of its receipts
7 and disbursements, and it shall cause an audit to be made of
8 its books, records, and accounts.
9 The records of the Commission shall be subject to public
10 inspection at all reasonable hours and under such
11 regulations as the members may prescribe.
12 The Commission shall annually make a full and complete
13 report to the Governor and the General Assembly of the
14 transactions and operations of the Commission for the
15 preceding year. The report shall contain a full statement of
16 the Commission's receipts and disbursements and the program
17 of work for the period covered, and may include such
18 recommendations as may be deemed advisable.
19 Section 50. Acceptance of conveyance. The State of
20 Illinois may accept a deed of conveyance of the Illinois
21 Wildlife Prairie Park along with its appurtenances in trust
22 as provided in the deed of conveyance.
23 Section 55. The Commission may enter into a contract or
24 lease for the management of the Park. The Commission may
25 work with the Foundation to raise private sector funds for
26 its account and encourage community involvement.
27 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
28 becoming law.