Public Act 90-0501 of the 90th General Assembly
Public Act 90-0501
HB1628 Enrolled LRB9003788KDmbA
AN ACT concerning the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park.
WHEREAS, The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park (the "Park")
is an approximately 1,200 acre park that is located in
Peoria County and contains woodlands, grasslands, hiking
trails, educational exhibits, miniature trains, and museum,
banquet, food service, and lodging accommodations; and
WHEREAS, The Park is home to several species of animals
that are all native to the State of Illinois, many of which
can be found only in this Park; and further, these animals
are kept in large free-roaming areas so that people can
observe them in their natural habitats; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Park is to promote
conservation, education, recreation, and tourism; and
WHEREAS, The owner of the Park wishes to give the Park to
a public body that will oversee its operations and continue
to maintain the Park with the same standard in which it was
created; therefore
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Act.
Section 5. Purpose. The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
Commission shall be responsible for providing for the
continuing conservation, operation, and maintenance of the
Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park.
Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless
the context otherwise requires:
"Commission" means the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park
Commission created by this Act.
"Foundation" means the Wildlife Prairie Park
Not-For-Profit Illinois Corporation having its principal
place of business in Peoria County, Illinois.
"Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park" means the Wildlife
Prairie Park located in Peoria County, Illinois.
Section 15. Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Commission.
The Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park Commission is created to
accept moneys from the State and other private or public
entities on behalf of the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park and
to oversee the financial management of any such moneys used
for the benefit of the Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park. The
Commission shall be composed of 5 members. Membership of the
Commission shall be composed of the Lieutenant Governor, who
shall be the chairman of the Commission, and 4 other persons
appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the
Senate, who have demonstrated an interest in recreation,
education, and the conservation of natural resources,
including the propagation of wild flowers and plants and the
habitat for native fauna. All members shall be ex officio
directors of the board of the Foundation or the Foundation's
successor. Members of the Commission appointed by the
Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years and until
their successors are appointed; provided that of the
Commissioners first appointed, one shall serve a term of 2
years, one shall serve a term of 3 years, and 2 shall serve
terms of 4 years as determined by drawing lots. Members of
the Commission shall receive no compensation for their
services, except for their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their official duties. Three
members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum to do
business, and the concurrence of at least 3 members shall be
necessary for a decision. The Commission shall hold regular
quarterly meetings. Special meetings may be called by the
chairperson and shall be called on the request of a majority
of members, as may be required.
The Commission shall provide for the proper and safe
keeping of its permanent records. It shall keep a system of
accounts showing a true and accurate record of its receipts
and disbursements, and it shall cause an audit to be made of
its books, records, and accounts.
The records of the Commission shall be subject to public
inspection at all reasonable hours and under such
regulations as the members may prescribe.
The Commission shall annually make a full and complete
report to the Governor and the General Assembly of the
transactions and operations of the Commission for the
preceding year. The report shall contain a full statement of
the Commission's receipts and disbursements and the program
of work for the period covered, and may include such
recommendations as may be deemed advisable.
Section 50. Acceptance of conveyance. The State of
Illinois may accept a deed of conveyance of the Illinois
Wildlife Prairie Park along with its appurtenances in trust
as provided in the deed of conveyance.
Section 55. The Commission may enter into a contract or
lease for the management of the Park. The Commission may
work with the Foundation to raise private sector funds for
its account and encourage community involvement.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.