Public Act 0471 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3828 Enrolled LRB096 09680 JDS 19841 b

Public Act 096-0471

AN ACT concerning conservation.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Lake Management Program Act is amended by adding Section 10 as follows:

(525 ILCS 25/10 new)

Sec. 10. Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes.

(a) The Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes is created for the protection of the water quality of the Great Lakes and to educate members of the General Assembly and the general population on the conditions of the Great Lakes. The Task Force consists of the following members:

(1) one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) one member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

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

(4) one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) one member appointed by the Governor;

(6) the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, ex officio, or his or her designee;

(7) the Director of Natural Resources, ex officio, or his or her designee;

(8) the Executive Director of the Illinois International Port District, or his or her designee;

(9) the Mayor of the City of Chicago, ex officio, or his or her designee; and

(10) one member representing a national alliance that is organized for the purpose of protecting and preserving the Great Lakes. The members shall select a chairperson from among themselves.

(b) The Environmental Protection Agency shall with the assistance of the Department of Natural Resources provide staff and support and is responsible for the administration of the Task Force. The Task Force shall hold its first meeting within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly. The Task Force shall meet at least once each calendar quarter. The members shall serve without compensation.

(c) The Task Force shall review and discuss various topics related to the supply and quality of water in the Great Lakes, including, but not limited to:

(1) the availability of federal funds for projects related to water quality and supply;

(2) the extent of water consumption and use from the Great Lakes;

(3) the current and projected water levels of the Great Lakes, particularly of Lake Michigan;

(4) levels of water pollution and the sources impacting water quality of the Great Lakes;

(5) the impact of water quality and supply issues on recreational activities and natural habitats;

(6) the impact of invasive species on the Great Lakes ecosystem; and

(7) current laws and regulations affecting the Great Lakes, including the Great Lakes Compact. The Task Force may call upon experts to provide additional information and testimony.

(d) Each year, the Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly outlining its recommendation concerning any legislative actions to protect the water quality and supply of the Great Lakes. The first report must be submitted no later than June 1, 2010.

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

Effective Date: 8/14/2009