Bill > SB3007

This bill, titled the Department of Natural Resources Sahara Woods State Recreation Area Act, authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to enter into a public-private agreement to develop, construct, finance, lease, manage, and operate campground facilities at Sahara Woods State Recreation Area. A "public-private agreement" is defined as a contract between the DNR and a selected "contractor" (a person or entity chosen through a competitive process) for these purposes, allowing the contractor to receive revenues like user fees in exchange for payments to the state. Before soliciting proposals, the Director of Natural Resources can discuss potential plans with interested parties, but these discussions are exempt from certain provisions of the Illinois Procurement Code, which governs how the state buys goods and services. The bill outlines a competitive "request for proposals" process that the DNR must follow, considering factors like the offeror's project plans, business practices, and past performance. The resulting agreement must include specific terms, such as the length of the agreement, which can range from 25 to 99 years, and provisions for the contractor to pay prevailing wages and potentially enter into project labor agreements, ensuring fair labor practices during construction. The agreement also details the powers and responsibilities of both the DNR and the contractor, how revenues will be handled, and what happens to the facilities upon termination of the agreement, at which point ownership reverts to the DNR.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3007&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104