Bill > HB3639

This bill amends the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act to enhance forest management and support for local governments and communities in Illinois. The bill introduces several key changes, including expanding the definition of eligible applicants to include not-for-profit corporations working with local governments, and creating new definitions for terms like "public trees," "public tree inventory," and "underserved or disadvantaged" communities. The legislation focuses on providing grant assistance for activities that implement or enhance current forest action plans, local forestry program objectives, tree canopy capacity in underserved areas, and overall urban and community forest canopy in Illinois. The Department of Natural Resources will have expanded duties, including promoting forestry plans, providing technical assistance, and reviewing grant proposals. The bill also modifies grant requirements, allowing for more flexible funding and in-kind contributions, and adds provisions to evaluate grant applications based on environmental improvement, employment opportunities, urban heat reduction, and community engagement. Additionally, the bill makes minor changes to the State Forest Act by updating the list of designated state forests, adding Lowden-Miller and Spoon River State Forests to the existing list.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3639&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104