summary
Introduced
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
In Committee
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Water Use Act of 1983. Provides that the findings concerning a proposed point of withdrawal's effects upon other users of water shall be published on a publicly available website. Provides that each District within any county in Illinois with a population in excess of 10,000 (rather than each district within any county in Illinois with a population in excess of 100,000 through which the Mackinaw River flows) is authorized to recommend to the Department of Agriculture restrictions on groundwater withdrawals. Provides that, if an onsite investigation discloses (1) that the point of withdrawal fails to furnish its normal supply of water, (2) that the failure is caused by a substantial lowering of the level of groundwater in the area, and (3) that the point of withdrawal and its equipment conform to the recommended guidelines of the District issued under subsection (b), the District shall (rather than may) recommend to the Department of Agriculture that the Department restrict the quantity of water that a person may extract from any high-capacity well within the District's boundaries. Provides that the restrictions may be lifted or modified as soon as justified by changed conditions (rather than shall be lifted as soon as justified by changed conditions). Provides that when a District determines that restriction of the withdrawal of water at a particular point within the District is necessary to preserve an adequate water supply for all residents in the District, the District shall (rather than may) recommend to the Department of Agriculture that the Department restrict the quantity of water that may be extracted from any point of withdrawal within the District which is a high-capacity well. Provides that, if the Department disagrees with the District's recommendation, the Department shall (rather than may) propose an alternate recommendation.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Water Use Act of 1983 to strengthen groundwater management by making findings about proposed water withdrawals publicly accessible on a website, expanding the authority of groundwater conservation Districts (Districts) to recommend restrictions on groundwater withdrawals in counties with over 10,000 residents, and requiring Districts to recommend restrictions on high-capacity wells if an onsite investigation confirms a significant drop in groundwater levels and the well meets recommended guidelines. The bill also clarifies that restrictions can be modified or lifted when conditions change and mandates that if a District determines restrictions are necessary to ensure an adequate water supply for all residents, it *shall* recommend them to the Department of Agriculture, which *shall* propose an alternative if it disagrees with the District's recommendation.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (on 02/25/2026)
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