Environment

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

States that it is of vital importance to protect Illinois farmland from irreversible conversion and fragmentation due to solar, industrial, and other large-scale developments. Affirms that farmland protection is consistent with and complementary to the goals of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and should be considered in clean-energy planning and implementation. Urges State agencies, local governments, and developers to prioritize renewable-energy and infrastructure projects on non-agricultural lands whenever practicable and to minimize impacts on prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance. Supports renewable-energy siting practices that protect soil health, drainage infrastructure, and long-term agricultural productivity, including appropriate decommissioning and land-restoration standards. Encourages transparent decision-making and meaningful community engagement to ensure that agricultural landowners and rural communities are protected from unintended long-term harm.

This resolution designates May 3-9, 2026, as Compost Awareness Week in Illinois. It aims to promote public education about composting benefits, such as reducing landfill waste (organic materials make up 30-40% of landfill content), conserving water, and supporting sustainable community practices. The resolution does not create new laws or requirements but encourages awareness through events and initiatives by local governments, composting organizations, and communities. It aligns with the international Compost Awareness Week theme "Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us!" for 2026. This is a symbolic, educational effort without binding policy changes.

Creates the River Access Modernization Act. Affirms the public's right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters for canoeing, boating, kayaking, and angling, subject to protection of private property rights and environmental values. Provides that the public right of use does not include crossing private uplands or exiting onto private land without permission. Establishes landowner liability protections. Prohibits littering and alteration of flora and fauna. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Natural Resources to designate public access points, resolve conflicts, promote safety and conservation education, and maintain a listing of navigable waterways. Defines "navigable water" and "public recreational use".

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Natural Resources shall design, implement, and evaluate not more than 3 demonstration projects that test natural flood risk reduction practices in flood-prone areas of the State, as determined by the Department, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department may require a county to submit to the Department a progress report with certain information. Provides that the Department shall submit to the General Assembly and to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security a report with certain information. Allows the Department to adopt rules.

Creates the Wetlands Protection Act. Provides that no person may discharge dredged or fill material into a State jurisdictional wetland except with a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Exempts certain activities from the requirements of the Act. Sets forth procedures for individual permit applications and other related procedural requirements. Provides that the Department shall not issue an individual permit unless the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Department that there will not be a violation of State water quality standards. Provides that the Department may issue an after-the-fact permit in certain emergency circumstances. Sets forth financial assurance requirements. Authorizes the Department to adopt general permits under the Act. Provides that any person who intends to conduct a regulated activity may do so in accordance with a general permit issued by the Department, which pre-authorizes a category of activities with minimal adverse effects. Provides procedures and requirements regarding preconstruction notifications. Provides that certain entities may establish and operate a mitigation bank or in lieu fee program. Describes procedures and requirements for mitigation banks. Grants the Department rulemaking powers. Provides that the Department shall prepare certain reports and studies. Provides for the review of final decisions of the Department. Provides for investigations by the Department and enforcement by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General. Provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day of violation, with interest after judgment, and with certain costs, fees, and expenses, payable to the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that any person may file a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board concerning a violation of the Act, a rule adopted under the Act, a condition of a permit issued under the Act, or an order of the Pollution Control Board issued under the Act. Provides for county and special district stormwater program authorities to control or regulate activities in any wetlands within their jurisdiction. Establishes the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that a permit review fee for all permit applications is to be set by the Department by rule. Makes corresponding changes to the State Finance Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Urges the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, to increase conservation efforts and to delay seasonal cutting of milkweed and other pollinator enhancement plants along Illinois waterways until August.

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that Department has the power to expend moneys appropriated to the Department from the Park and Conservation Fund in the State treasury for furtherance of the Department's programs or for use by the Department for the Department's normal operations and for the construction and maintenance of State owned, leased, and managed sites (rather than the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department). Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the Park and Conservation Fund Account in the Build Illinois Fund to the Park and Conservation Fund 1/12 of $10,000,000, plus any cumulative deficiency in those transfers for prior months, for any purposes (rather than Conservation and Park purposes) as enumerated in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law or for the same purposes as specified in any other State general obligation bond Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the moneys deposited in the Park and Conservation Fund shall be used as provided for in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (rather than for the development and acquisition of bike paths).

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall use, or cause or allow the use of, any site on which a former waste disposal operation is located in a manner that is inconsistent with the closure of the waste disposal operation. Lists prohibited uses.