615 ILCS 5

615 ILCS 5
in effect

615 ILCS 5/4.9

(615 ILCS 5/4.9) (from Ch. 19, par. 51.9) Sec. 4.9. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

615 ILCS 5/5

(615 ILCS 5/5) (from Ch. 19, par. 52) Sec. 5. The Department of Natural Resources shall upon behalf of the State of Illinois, have jurisdiction and supervision over all of the rivers and lakes of the State of Illinois, wherein the State of Illinois or the people of the State have any rights or interests, and shall make a list by counties of all the waters of Illinois, showing the waters, both navigable and non-navigable, that are found in each county of the State, and if the same are lakes, the extent of the shore lines and the amount, extent and area of the water surface; and in a like way, if the same are rivers, and specifying whether the same are navigable or non-navigable, and whether they have or have not been meandered. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/6

(615 ILCS 5/6) (from Ch. 19, par. 53) Sec. 6. The Department of Natural Resources shall obtain all possible data with reference to all of the waters of the State of Illinois, including original surveys, meander notes, maps, plats, river gauges, high and low water marks, and all and every source of information which will tend to disclose or establish the rights of the People of the State of Illinois with reference to each body of water in the State, and shall from time to time make public report of its findings. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/7

(615 ILCS 5/7) (from Ch. 19, par. 54) Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Department of Natural Resources to have a general supervision of every body of water within the State of Illinois, wherein the State or the people of the State have any rights or interests, whether the same be lakes or rivers, and at all times to exercise a vigilant care to see that none of said bodies of water are encroached upon, or wrongfully seized or used by any private interest in any way, except as may be provided by law and then only after permission shall be given by said department, and from time to time for that purpose, to make accurate surveys of the shores of said lakes and rivers, and to jealously guard the same in order that the true and natural conditions thereof may not be wrongfully and improperly changed to the detriment and injury of the State of Illinois. In order to expedite the fulfillment of such duties by the department, and to remove or reduce many causes of contention between the State and riparian owners, every subdivision plat drawn for any land bordering or including any public waters of the State of Illinois in which the State has any property rights or property interests, shall be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources for review and approval as to the boundary line between private interest and public interests, and shall not be recorded until so reviewed and approved by the department. Should the department find such boundary line to be incorrectly indicated on the plat, it shall return the plat unapproved with a statement in detail of the reasons for not approving such plat. The Department of Natural Resources shall have power and authority to inquire into encroachments upon, wrongful invasion and private use of every stream, river, lake or other body of water in which the State of Illinois has any right or interests. The department shall have power to make and enforce such orders as will secure every stream, river, lake or other body of water, in which the State of Illinois has any right or interest against encroachment, wrongful seizure or private use. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/8

(615 ILCS 5/8) (from Ch. 19, par. 55) Sec. 8. The Department of Natural Resources shall receive from any citizen complaints as to any invasion of or encroachment upon any rights of the State, or of any citizen of the State, with reference to any of the public bodies of water of the State, or as to any interference with the right or claim of any citizen to use or enjoy any public water of this State, and upon being requested so to do, the Department, in its discretion, may hold a public hearing for the purpose of taking evidence with reference to the subject matter of the complaint, and of hearing all persons who may appear upon behalf of, or in opposition to the petition, and at the conclusion of the hearing it shall enter an order defining the rights and interests of the parties, and prescribing their duties. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/9

(615 ILCS 5/9) (from Ch. 19, par. 56) Sec. 9. The Department of Natural Resources shall carefully investigate any and all complaints that may be made that any person, company or corporation is attempting to interfere with the free and unobstructed navigation of any of the public bodies of water of the State, and if it finds that the complaint is well founded, the Department shall enter such order as may be required to prevent wrongful interference with such navigation. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/10

(615 ILCS 5/10) (from Ch. 19, par. 57) Sec. 10. The Department of Natural Resources shall investigate any and all complaints within the State that any person, company, association or corporation is attempting to assert any lawful rights or exclusive privileges or franchises with reference to docks, landings, wharves, or the free and unobstructed access to, or egress from any navigable body of water, and if it finds upon investigation that any complaint is well founded, it shall enter such order as may be necessary to correct the wrongful act. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/11

(615 ILCS 5/11) (from Ch. 19, par. 58) Sec. 11. The Department of Natural Resources shall obtain all possible data, surveys, charts, high and low water marks, and river gauges, and information with reference to the navigability of any of the public bodies of water of the State, and keep the same at all times available for public inspection, and aid in extending the navigation of any of the public bodies of water of the State. Such information shall be furnished at its actual cost to any person desiring the same. Certified copies of such data shall be received in court as evidence of the facts thereby shown. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/12

(615 ILCS 5/12) (from Ch. 19, par. 59) Sec. 12. The Department of Natural Resources shall procure and collect all obtainable data with reference to deep waterways within the State, and from time to time disseminate information with reference thereto, and take such action as will permit and encourage every available use of the public bodies of water of the State, for navigation and carrying trade, both of commerce and passenger. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/13

(615 ILCS 5/13) (from Ch. 19, par. 60) Sec. 13. The Department of Natural Resources shall make a careful investigation of every body of water, both river and lake, in the State, and ascertain to what extent, if at all, the same have been encroached upon by private interests or individuals, and wherever it believes that the same have been encroached upon, the Department shall commence appropriate action either to recover full compensation for such wrongful encroachment, or to recover the use of the same, or of any lands improperly or unlawfully made in connection with any public river or lake for the use of the People of the State. The right and authority hereby given and created shall not be held to be exclusive, or to take from the Attorney General or any other law officer of the State the right to commence suit or action. (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

615 ILCS 5/14a

(615 ILCS 5/14a) (from Ch. 19, par. 61a) Sec. 14a. It is the express intention of this legislation that close cooperation shall exist between the Pollution Control Board, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Natural Resources and that every resource of State government shall be applied to the proper preservation and utilization of the waters of Lake Michigan. The Environmental Protection Agency shall regularly monitor water quality from nearshores, harbors, and public water supply intakes in Lake Michigan and provide an executive summary biennially on conditions of the water quality in Lake Michigan to the Governor and members of the General Assembly. In meeting the requirements of this Act, the Pollution Control Board, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources are authorized to be in direct contact with individuals, municipalities, public and private corporations and other organizations which are or may be contributing to the discharge of pollution to Lake Michigan. (Source: P.A. 103-1038, eff. 1-1-25.)

615 ILCS 5/15

(615 ILCS 5/15) (from Ch. 19, par. 62) Sec. 15. The Department of Natural Resources shall obtain and preserve all obtainable data with reference to the rivers and lakes of Illinois, and make its office a repository thereof, and all such records and data shall be public and available for the use of any person who may be interested therein; and certified copies thereof shall be received in court as evidence of the facts therein set forth. To secure the information authorized by this section to be obtained the Department or its duly authorized agent may cross any lands within the State and enter any building or factory where the power used is of hydraulic generation. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/16

(615 ILCS 5/16) (from Ch. 19, par. 63) Sec. 16. The Department of Natural Resources shall plan and devise methods, ways and means for the preservation and beautifying of the public bodies of water of the State, and for making the same more available for the use of the public, and it shall from time to time report its findings and conclusions to the Governor and general assembly, and from time to time submit to the general assembly drafts of such measures as it may deem necessary to be enacted for the accomplishment of such purpose, or for the protection of such bodies of water. The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act. (Source: P.A. 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)

615 ILCS 5/17

(615 ILCS 5/17) (from Ch. 19, par. 64) Sec. 17. The Department of Natural Resources shall furnish at its actual cost to any person or persons who may be desirous of reclaiming, draining or cultivating any wash or overflowed lands in connection with any of the public waters of the State, any and all data which it may have in its possession, showing surveys, elevations, contours, cost of construction of levees, plans therefor, and information with reference thereto, and shall, advise with, aid and assist in any and all enterprises looking towards the reclamation or drainage of lands wherever in its judgment the same may be attempted without detriment to the interests of the State, or the public, in any of said bodies of water. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18

(615 ILCS 5/18) (from Ch. 19, par. 65) Sec. 18. It is unlawful to make any fill or deposit of rock, earth, sand, or other material, or any refuse matter of any kind or description or build or commence the building of any wharf, pier, dolphin, boom, weir, breakwater, bulkhead, jetty, causeway, harbor, or mooring facilities for watercraft, or build or commence the building of any other structure, or do any work of any kind whatsoever in any of the public bodies of water within the State of Illinois, without first submitting the plans, profiles, and specifications therefor, and such other data and information as may be required, to the Department of Natural Resources of the State and receiving a permit therefor signed by the Director of the Department and authenticated by the seal thereof. However, this requirement does not apply to duck blinds which comply with regulations of the Department of Natural Resources. However, except as provided in this Act, no permit shall be issued or renewed authorizing any fill or deposit of rock, earth, sand, or other material, or any refuse matter of any kind or description in Lake Michigan unless the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency makes a final determination pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 39 of the Environmental Protection Act, as now or hereafter amended, that the proposed dredging or deposit of material will not cause a violation of the Environmental Protection Act or Pollution Control Board regulations. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the discharge or other disposition of materials of any kind into Lake Michigan without first obtaining a joint permit from the Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Any person, corporation, company, city or municipality, or other agency, who or which (1) discharges or disposes of any such materials into Lake Michigan without a permit or in violation of a permit, or (2) does any of the things prohibited by this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The building of any causeway, harbor, or mooring facilities for watercraft in Lake Michigan shall be confined to those areas recommended by the Department and authorized by the General Assembly and approved by the Governor and shall be in aid of and not an interference with the public interest or navigation. Any structure, fill, or deposit erected or made in any of the public bodies of water of this State, in violation of this Section is a purpresture and may be abated as such at the expense of the person, corporation, company, city, municipality, or other agency responsible therefor, or if, in the discretion of the Department of Natural Resources, it be decided that the structure, fill, or deposit may remain, the Department may fix such rule, regulation, requirement, restrictions, or rentals or require and compel such changes, modifications and repairs as are necessary to protect the interest of the State. The Department of Natural Resources may grant, subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, a permit to any person, firm or corporation, not a riparian owner, to use the water from any of the public bodies of water within the State of Illinois for industrial manufacturing or public utility purposes, and to construct the necessary intakes, structures, tunnels, and conduits in, under, or on the beds of such bodies of water to obtain the use of such water or to return the same, provided, however, that such use shall not interfere with navigation. Such permit shall be for a definite period of years not exceeding 40 years and may be renewed subject to the same time limitation. If the water so to be used is to be taken from a lake or stream located in or adjoining any municipality, such permit shall not become effective until approved by the Commissioner of Public Works of such municipality, or if it has no Commissioner of Public Works, by the Public (or City) Engineer, or if it has no such Engineer, by the Mayor or President of the Municipality. Subject to the notice and hearing hereinafter provided for, where a permit is sought for a structure, fill, or deposit in a slip, the Department shall require as condition precedent to the issuance of such permit, a signed statement approving such action by all riparian owners whose access to public waters will be directly affected by such structure, fill, or deposit. No such permit shall be issued without the approval of the Governor and without a public hearing, 10 days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of which is published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which such slip is located. Whenever a permit to fill or deposit in a slip is issued, all work done pursuant to the permit is by authorization and under the direction of the Department of Natural Resources. If deemed in the public interest, the Department of Natural Resources may, for the purpose of establishing uniform shore lines upon Lake Michigan or other streams or lakes of this State, permit fills of rock, earth or sand to be placed inside a bulkhead, wall or breakwater so constructed as not to permit the escape of such materials into Lake Michigan or any such lake, river, or stream, and the Department is authorized to require of applicants for such permits such contracts or to impose such restrictions as shall fully protect the interests of the State. However, the Department may permit the placing of unconfined fills or deposits of clear sand, rock or other material approved by the Department in or along the shores of Lake Michigan or in, or along the shores of, other streams or lakes of this State for the purpose of replacing or augmenting the natural material in the littoral currents, for creating new beaches or for replenishing existing beaches, for the protection of the shore against erosion or for other lawful purposes specifically authorized by statute; and the Department may permit the deposit of dredged material in Lake Michigan only where the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency makes a final determination, pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 39 of the Environmental Protection Act, as now or hereafter amended, that the dredging or deposit of material will not cause a violation of the Environmental Protection Act or Pollution Control Board regulations. Any person adversely affected by a final determination of the Environmental Protection Agency may petition for a hearing before the Pollution Control Board pursuant to Section 40 of the Environmental Protection Act, as now or hereafter amended. The petition for review shall stay the issuance of the permit until the Pollution Control Board affirms or reverses the Agency's determination. If there is no final action by the Pollution Control Board within 120 days, the Department may issue the permit. Judicial review of the Pollution Control Board's final determination shall be pursuant to Section 41 of the Environmental Protection Act, as now or hereafter amended. The restriction as to the deposit of dredged materials shall not apply to any reclamation or fill-in of Lake Michigan under the authority of any statute now or hereafter in effect or under the supervision of any park district or municipality where such materials are placed inside a bulkhead, wall or breakwater so constructed as not to permit the escape of such materials into Lake Michigan. Wherever the terms public waters or public bodies of water are used or referred to in this Act, they mean all open public streams and lakes capable of being navigated by water craft, in whole or in part, for commercial uses and purposes, and all lakes, rivers, and streams which in their natural condition were capable of being improved and made navigable, or that are connected with or discharged their waters into navigable lakes or rivers within, or upon the borders of the State of Illinois, together with all bayous, sloughs, backwaters, and submerged lands that are open to the main channel or body of water and directly accessible thereto. Nothing herein contained applies to a harbor under the jurisdiction and control of a park district, nor to any existing yacht club facilities, improvements thereon and replacements thereof whether in the same or a new location. Nothing herein contained applies to the location of any harbor under the jurisdiction and control of any city or village of less than 500,000 population. Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, the Department of Natural Resources shall have no power to promulgate rules or regulations, or to issue or deny permits, with respect to barge fleeting areas in rivers located wholly or partly within this State. For purposes of this paragraph, "barge fleeting area" means a facility, at a fixed site, which is used to provide barge mooring services. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18a

(615 ILCS 5/18a) (from Ch. 19, par. 65a) Sec. 18a. The Department of Natural Resources, upon the issuance of any permit under the provisions of Section 18 of this Act, shall have the right to enter into an agreement with any person, firm or corporation to whom a permit is issued, by the terms of which agreement the person, firm or corporation may take earth, stone, sand or gravel, or any combination of these materials, from the bed or below the bed of any public waters within the State at a price based upon the fair market value for any material or combinations of materials so taken. The Department of Natural Resources may however, permit any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State of Illinois or any governmental unit or agency of the State, or the Federal Government or any agency of the Federal Government, to take the earth, stone, sand or gravel, or any combination of these materials, without compensation if the municipal corporation, political subdivision, or governmental unit or agency of the State, or the Federal Government or agency of the Federal Government, proposes to furnish the material in connection with any public project or construction work, and is not acting for or on behalf of any person, firm or corporation who is required to furnish the material. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18b

(615 ILCS 5/18b) (from Ch. 19, par. 65b) Sec. 18b. The Department of Natural Resources, may also, upon the issuance of any permit under the provisions of Section 18 of this Act, enter into an agreement with any person, firm or corporation to whom such a permit is issued by the terms of which agreement such person, firm or corporation, may take coal, gas, oil or other mineral or substance from or below the bed of any public waters within the State. No such agreement shall be made however, unless bids have first been advertised for and received in accordance with Section 4 of "The Illinois Purchasing Act", approved July 11, 1957, as heretofore and hereafter amended. Such agreement shall be made only with the highest responsible bidder. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18c

(615 ILCS 5/18c) (from Ch. 19, par. 65c) Sec. 18c. The Department of Natural Resources, may also, upon the issuance of a permit under the provisions of Section 18 of this Act, enter into an agreement with any person, firm, or corporation, by the terms of which agreement such person, firm, or corporation, may build or place in, upon or below the bed of that portion of Chicago Harbor in Lake Michigan lying South of the Chicago River Entrance, West of the U. S. Inner Breakwater, North of East 11th Place extended and East of the Harbor Line established by the Secretary of War in Lake Michigan, May 3, 1940, or lying North of Navy Pier, South of the Chicago Central Water Filtration Plant, East of a line running north through the inner west end of Navy Pier, and West of a line running North through the outer or east end of Navy Pier, any causeway, harbor or mooring facilities for watercraft, and agrees to pay a rental, charges or fee to the State of Illinois for the use and occupation of any State owned lands which may be authorized to be utilized for such purposes; the rental, charge or fee shall be determined by said Department. No such agreement permitting any causeway, harbor or mooring facilities for watercraft in, upon or below the bed of said portion of Chicago Harbor in Lake Michigan shall be made, which by its terms, permits the use and occupation of State owned lands for a period of over 20 years, nor shall such agreement be entered into unless provision therein is made that such agreement shall be revocable at the will of said Department to permit use thereof by the State of Illinois for any public purpose. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18d

(615 ILCS 5/18d) (from Ch. 19, par. 65d) Sec. 18d. No agreement permitting the right to take earth, stone, sand or gravel, or combination or combinations thereof, coal, gas, oil or other mineral or substance, shall be made which by its terms permits such a taking for a period of over 5 years. Every person, firm and corporation, with whom any such agreement is made by the Department of Natural Resources, shall furnish said Department a surety bond, for the use of the People of the State of Illinois, with good and sufficient sureties and in such amount as is acceptable to such Department, to secure the payment of the amounts agreed upon for the taking of such earth, stone, sand, gravel, minerals, substances, or the building of any causeway, harbor or mooring facilities for watercraft, and to save the State of Illinois harmless to any damages caused by any such person, firm or corporation in connection with the taking of any such earth, stone, sand, gravel, minerals, substances, or the use and occupation of State owned lands for watercraft facilities. Every person, firm, corporation, municipal corporation, political subdivision or governmental unit or agency thereof which by any agreement is permitted to take any such earth, stone, sand or gravel, minerals or substances, and is required to make compensation therefor, shall report to the Department of Natural Resources, on or before the fifteenth day of each calendar month, the amount of such earth, stone, sand, gravel, minerals, or substances taken by him, them or it during the next preceding calendar month and make payment therefor. Payment for earth, stone, sand or gravel or combination or combinations thereof so taken, shall be for each cubic yard of such material based upon quantities determined by the Department of Natural Resources by means of commonly used engineering methods of measurement of such earth, stone, sand or gravel. Payment for coal, gas, oil or other minerals or substances shall be at the price per pound, ton, cubic foot, gallon, cubic yard or other commonly used applicable unit of weight or measure at the unit price bid by the highest responsible bidder based upon quantities determined by the Department of Natural Resources by means of commonly used engineering methods of measurements of such coal, gas, oil or other minerals or substances. The Department of Natural Resources has the right of access to and the right of examination during reasonable business hours of all books, records, papers and memoranda of any person, firm, corporation, municipal corporation, political subdivision or governmental unit or agency thereof, with whom it has any such agreement permitting the taking of any such earth, stone, sand, gravel, coal, gas, oil or other minerals or substances for compensation. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18e

(615 ILCS 5/18e) (from Ch. 19, par. 65e) Sec. 18e. The Department of Natural Resources has the right to accept, on behalf of the State, any payments made in accordance with any agreement authorized by Sections 18a, 18b and 18c of this Act. Any such payments so received shall be promptly processed by said Department for deposit in the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/18f

(615 ILCS 5/18f) (from Ch. 19, par. 65f) Sec. 18f. (a) The Department of Natural Resources shall define 100-year floodplains within the State of Illinois on a township by township basis and may issue permits for any construction within such 100-year floodplains on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1971. The Department shall publish and distribute suitable reports, together with mapping and hydrologic exhibits pertaining to 100-year floodplains defined and established under this Act. In defining applicable 100-year floodplains, the Department shall cooperate with, and shall consider planning and zoning requirements of, regional planning agencies created by statute, counties, municipalities and other units of government. A period of thirty days shall be allowed for any agency to submit written comments to the Department regarding any proposed 100-year floodplain area. If such agency fails to return comments to the Department within the specified time period the Department may proceed with the publication and institution of the 100-year floodplain permit procedure. The Department is charged with the planning, development, and evaluation of the most economic combination of retention storage, channel improvement, and floodplain preservation in defining and establishing 100-year floodplain areas. All construction undertaken on a defined 100-year floodplain subsequent to the effective date of this amendatory Act, without benefit of a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, shall be unlawful and the Department, may in its discretion, proceed to obtain injunctive relief for abatement or removal of such unlawful construction. The Department, in its discretion, may make such investigations and conduct such hearings as may be necessary to the performance of its duties under this amendatory Act of 1971. Activity of the Department under this Section shall be limited to townships related to projects of the Department authorized by the General Assembly. The report of the Department shall be considered a final administrative decision and subject to judicial review in accordance with the provision of the Administrative Review Law. (b) For the purposes of this Section, including for the purposes of granting permit and license applications filed or pending prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, "100-year floodplain" means the lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, including flood-prone areas of offshore islands, that are inundated by a flood that has a 1% or greater chance of recurring in any given year or a flood of a magnitude equalled or exceeded once in 100 years on the average over a significantly long period. For the purposes of this Section, an area shall be deemed by operation of law not to be within the 100-year floodplain if the area lies within an area protected by a federal levee and is located in a flood prevention district established in accordance with the Flood Prevention District Act; provided, however, that an area that lies within a flood prevention district established in accordance with the Flood Prevention District Act shall be deemed by operation of law to be within the 100-year floodplain if, according to the currently adopted federal flood insurance rate map, the area is subject to inundation by a 100-year flood from bodies of water other than the Mississippi River. (Source: P.A. 96-1395, eff. 7-29-10.)

615 ILCS 5/18g

(615 ILCS 5/18g) (from Ch. 19, par. 65g) Sec. 18g. (a) The Department of Natural Resources shall define the 100-year floodway within metropolitan counties located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, except for the part of that area which is within any city with a population exceeding 1,500,000. In defining the 100-year floodway, the Department may rely on published data and maps which have been prepared by the Department itself, by the Illinois State Water Survey of the University of Illinois, by federal, State or local governmental agencies, or by any other private or public source which it determines to be reliable and appropriate. (b) The Department may issue permits for construction that is an appropriate use of the designated 100-year floodway in such metropolitan counties. If a unit of local government has adopted an ordinance that establishes minimum standards for appropriate use of the floodway that are at least as restrictive as those established by the Department and this Section, and the unit of local government has adequate staff to enforce the ordinance, the Department may delegate to such unit of local government the authority to issue permits for construction that is an appropriate use of the floodway within its jurisdiction. (c) No person may engage in any new construction within the 100-year floodway as designated by the Department in such metropolitan counties, unless such construction relates to an appropriate use of the floodway. No unit of local government, including home rule units, in such metropolitan counties may issue any building permit or other apparent authorization for any prohibited new construction within the 100-year floodway. (d) For the purpose of this Section, including for the purposes of granting permit and license applications filed or pending prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly: (1) "100-year floodway" means the channel and that portion of the 100-year floodplain adjacent to a stream or watercourse which is needed to store and convey the 100-year frequency flood discharge without a significant increase in stage. (1.5) "100-year floodplain" means the lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters, including flood-prone areas of offshore islands, that are inundated by a flood that has a 1% or greater chance of recurring in any given year or a flood of a magnitude equalled or exceeded once in 100 years on the average over a significantly long period. (2) "New construction" means the construction of any new building or structure or the placement of any fill or material, but does not include the repair, remodeling or maintenance of buildings or structures in existence on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987. (3) "Appropriate use of the floodway" means use for (i) flood control structures, dikes, dams and other public works or private improvements relating to the control of drainage, flooding or erosion; (ii) structures or facilities relating to the use of, or requiring access to, the water or shoreline, including pumping and treatment facilities, and facilities and improvements related to recreational boats, commercial shipping and other functionally dependent uses; and (iii) any other purposes which the Department determines, by rule, to be appropriate to the 100-year floodway, and the periodic inundation of which will not pose a danger to the general health and welfare of the user, or require the expenditure of public funds or the provision of public resources or disaster relief services. Appropriate use of the floodway does not include construction of a new building unless such building is a garage, storage shed or other structure accessory to an existing building and such building does not increase flood stages. (4) "Person" includes natural persons, corporations, associations, governmental entities, and all other legal entities. (e) All construction undertaken on a designated 100-year floodway in such metropolitan counties, without benefit of a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, shall be unlawful and the Department or any affected unit of local government may, in its discretion, proceed to obtain injunctive relief for abatement or removal of such unlawful construction. The Department, in its discretion, may make such investigations and conduct such hearings and adopt such rules as may be necessary to the performance of its duties under this Section. (f) This Section does not limit any power granted to the Department by any other Act. (g) This Section does not limit the concurrent exercise by any unit of local government of any power consistent herewith. (h) This Section does not apply to any city with a population exceeding 1,500,000. (Source: P.A. 95-728, eff. 7-1-08 - See Sec. 999; 96-1395, eff. 7-29-10.)

615 ILCS 5/18h Conflicts with Executive Order 2006-5

(615 ILCS 5/18h) Sec. 18h. Conflicts with Executive Order 2006-5. To the extent that Executive Order 2006-5 is inconsistent with the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the provisions of this amendatory Act shall govern. (Source: P.A. 96-1395, eff. 7-29-10.)

615 ILCS 5/18i Maintenance of eligibility to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program

(615 ILCS 5/18i) Sec. 18i. Maintenance of eligibility to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be construed to diminish or conflict with the authority and the obligation of local governments to adopt and enforce local ordinances and regulations necessary to maintain eligibility to participate fully in the National Flood Insurance Program and for property owners to purchase federal flood insurance. If a local government located in an area that (i) is protected by a federal levee and (ii) located in a flood prevention district established in accordance with the Flood Prevention District Act chooses to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, it must adopt and maintain ordinances and floodplain management regulations that meet the requirements of 44 C.F.R. 60.3, 60.4, and 60.5, and it must submit copies of those documents to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as required by federal law. (Source: P.A. 96-1395, eff. 7-29-10.)

615 ILCS 5/18j

(615 ILCS 5/18j) Sec. 18j. ESDA critical facility evacuation plans. Any critical facility that gives shelter to a person who would be unable to evacuate without assistance during a flooding event, and that is located in an area deemed by operation of law not to be within the 100-year floodplain because the area in which the critical facility is located lies within an area protected by a federal levee and is located in a flood prevention district established in accordance with the Flood Prevention District Act shall develop an evacuation plan and certify to the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), as defined by Section 4 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, on a form provided by the ESDA, that it has developed an evacuation plan which the critical facility has or will implement prior to or concurrent with occupancy of the facility to evacuate persons who need assistance evacuating the facility and the flooded area. (Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

615 ILCS 5/18k National Flood Insurance Program State agency requirements

(615 ILCS 5/18k) Sec. 18k. National Flood Insurance Program State agency requirements. (a) As used in this Section: "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources. "Development" and "developed" mean any man-made change to real estate, including, but not limited to: (1) demolition, construction, reconstruction, repair, placement of a building, or any structural alteration to a building; (2) substantial improvement of an existing building; (3) installation of a manufactured home on a site, preparing a site for a manufactured home, or installing a travel trailer on a site for more than 180 days per year; (4) installation of utilities, construction of roads, bridges, culverts, or similar projects; (5) redevelopment of a site, clearing of land as an adjunct of construction, or construction or erection of levees, dams, walls, or fences; (6) drilling, mining, filling, dredging, grading, excavation, paving, or other alterations of the ground surface; (7) storage of materials, including the placement of gas or liquid storage tanks, and channel modifications or any other activity that might change the direction, height, or velocity of flood or surface waters. "Development" and "developed" do not include resurfacing of pavement when there is no increase in elevation; construction of farm fencing; or gardening, plowing, and similar practices that do not involve filling, grading, or construction of levees. "Special flood hazard area" means an area having special flood, mudflow or flood-related erosion hazards and shown on a Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Hazard Boundary Map or Flood Insurance Rate Map as Zone A, AO, A1-A-30, AE, A99, AH, AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/AH, AR/AO, AR/A1-A30, V1-V30, VE, or V. "State agencies" means any department, commission, board, or agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor, any board, commission, agency, or authority which has a majority of its members appointed by the Governor, and the Governor's Office. (b) The Department shall ensure that State agencies comply with National Flood Insurance Program requirements set forth in this Section. (c) All State agencies shall obtain a special flood hazard area development permit before undertaking development activity on State-owned property that is located in a special flood hazard area. The Department shall adopt an administrative rule setting forth a State special flood hazard area development program to ensure the following via the issuance of permits prior to any State agency development within a special flood hazard area: (1) Review of all proposed new development in a special flood hazard area to ensure compliance with the standards set forth in the administrative rule. (2) Monitoring and inspecting developments currently under construction in a special flood hazard area to ensure compliance with the standards set forth in the administrative rule. (3) Correction, to the extent reasonably practical in the sole determination of the Department, of all previous development in a special flood hazard area found not to be in compliance with the standards set forth in the administrative rule. (4) The standards set forth in the administrative rule shall, at a minimum, be as stringent as the federal regulations adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to implement the National Flood Insurance Act (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) that are published in 44 CFR 59 through 60. (d) State agencies that administer grants or loans for financing a development within a special flood hazard area shall cooperate with the Department to ensure that participants in their programs are informed of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. (e) State agencies that are responsible for regulating or permitting a development within a special flood hazard area shall cooperate with the Department to ensure that participants in their programs are informed of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. (f) State agencies that are engaged in planning programs or promoting a program for the development shall cooperate with the Department to ensure that participants in their programs are informed of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements in effect in such areas. (g) The Department shall provide available special flood hazard area information to assist State agencies in complying with the requirements established by this Section. The Department may enter into a memorandum of understanding with a State agency to outline procedures and processes to review proposed development activity on State-owned property located in a special flood hazard area. Such a memorandum of understanding may allow for alternative approvals for the issuance of permits. If the Department enters into a memorandum of understanding with a State agency to allow an alternative permit process any permits or work completed under those alternatives is subject to audit and review by the Department. (Source: P.A. 103-905, eff. 1-1-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)

615 ILCS 5/19

(615 ILCS 5/19) (from Ch. 19, par. 66) Sec. 19. It shall be the duty of the Department of Natural Resources to from time to time prepare and devise schemes, plans, ways and means for the reservation or acquisition by the State of desirable tracts of land in connection with the public waters of the State of Illinois, to the end that public reservations or preserves may be made along said public bodies of water for the use of all of the people of the State of Illinois, for pleasure, recreation and sport, and as such reservations or preserves may be made or acquired from time to time, the same shall be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources is authorized, with the consent in writing of the Governor, to acquire by private purchase or by condemnation in the manner provided for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act any and all lands sought to carry out the provisions of this Section. (Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

615 ILCS 5/19.5

(615 ILCS 5/19.5) Sec. 19.5. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

615 ILCS 5/20

(615 ILCS 5/20) (from Ch. 19, par. 67) Sec. 20. The Department of Natural Resources shall obtain data and information as to the availability of the various streams of Illinois for water power, and preserve all such data, and report to the Governor and the general assembly such facts as to the amount of water power which can be so developed, from time to time, as in its judgment should be communicated, looking to the preservation of the rights of the State of Illinois in the water power and navigation of this State. The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act. (Source: P.A. 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)

615 ILCS 5/21

(615 ILCS 5/21) (from Ch. 19, par. 68) Sec. 21. The Department of Natural Resources shall make particular research into the natural resources of this State in connection with any of the public bodies of water of the State, and obtain, classify and preserve all data which may be procurable in connection therewith, and from time to time disseminate for the information of the people of the State, by way of bulletins or publications, such information as it may thus obtain. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/22

(615 ILCS 5/22) (from Ch. 19, par. 69) Sec. 22. The Department of Natural Resources shall obtain from time to time all possible data with reference to the navigability of the public waters of the State of Illinois and with reference to the cultivation and propagation of fish, and shall devise ways of making the public bodies of water of the State more effective for the production of a cheap food supply in the way of various fish which may be cultivated or propagated in these bodies of water. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/23

(615 ILCS 5/23) (from Ch. 19, par. 70) Sec. 23. It shall be the duty of the Department of Natural Resources to maintain stream gauge stations, and to make careful investigations of the streams of the State with reference to the carrying capacity of all such streams in times of flood and under normal conditions; to prevent the carrying capacity of streams to be limited and impaired by fills, deposits, obstructions, encroachments therein, deposit of debris or material of any kind, including trees, tree limbs, logs, shrubbery, or related growths and trimmings therefrom in or upon the bank of any waters and water courses or in such proximity to such waters and water courses or any tributary thereto where the same shall be liable to be washed into or deposited along such waters and water courses, either by normal or flood flows, as a result of storms or otherwise, which may in any manner impede or obstruct the natural flow of such waters and water courses, or bridges over same, to an extent where the same cannot safely dispose of the flood waters which may naturally, lawfully, and properly be discharged therein; to require such changes in bridges across any navigable waters or streams, or bodies of water made navigable, necessary to meet the demands of navigation and commerce thereon; and to establish by regulations water levels below which water cannot be drawn down behind dams from any stream or river within the State of Illinois, in order to retain enough water in such streams to preserve the fish and other aquatic life in the stream, and to safeguard the health of the community. If the capacity of any stream is limited and impaired by reason of any of the Acts or construction in this Act provided, so as to constitute a menace to property along the course of said stream or safety of the people of the State, or results in damage, overflow, or an interruption to navigation, or if water is being drawn down, or is about to be drawn down in contravention of the water level regulations established by the Department, the Department of Natural Resources shall take such action as may be required, by injunction or otherwise, to prevent such encroachments or the erection of such structures, or compel the removal or modification of same, or to prevent water being drawn down below the levels established by the Department. It shall be unlawful for any person, persons, corporations, counties, cities, municipalities, or other agency to make any fill, deposit, or encroachment in, deposit or placement of felled or trimmed woody plant upon or along the bank, or erect any bridges over a stream that has a drainage area of one square mile or more in urban areas or 10 square miles or more in rural areas, until plans, profiles and specifications and other data which may be required, have been first filed with the Department of Natural Resources of this State, and a written permit received therefor. The Department of Natural Resources is authorized, in case of existing dams, to require that the dams be maintained in a proper state of repair, and at a height for proper control of water levels in the disposal of flood waters and at normal stages, and for such purposes to require changes and modifications therein, and to compel the installation of fishways in dams wherever deemed necessary; provided, however, that the enactment by any governmental unit of any new rule, regulation, ordinance, law, or other requirements passed after the construction of an existing dam, shall not be construed to give the Department of Natural Resources the power or authority to require changes in the design, structure, or construction, of any existing dam in conformance with all applicable standards existing at the time of its construction and which is in good repair. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/23a

(615 ILCS 5/23a) (from Ch. 19, par. 70a) Sec. 23a. The Department is authorized to carry out inspections of any dam within the State, and to establish standards and issue permits for the safe construction of new dams and the reconstruction, repair, operation and maintenance of all existing dams. If any inspection carried out by the Department or by a federal agency in which the Department concurs determines that a dam is in an unsafe condition, the Department shall so notify the appropriate public officials of the affected city or county, the State's Attorney of the county in which the dam is located, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The Department may compel the installation of fishways in dams wherever deemed necessary. The Department may establish by rule minimum water levels for water behind dams on streams and rivers as necessary to preserve the fish and other aquatic life and to safeguard the health of the community. Upon a determination of the Department that a dam constitutes a serious threat to life or a threat of substantial property damage, the Department may issue orders to require changes in the structure or its operation or maintenance necessary for proper control of water levels at normal stages and for the disposal of flood waters and for the protection of navigation and any persons or property situated downstream from the dam or to otherwise remove the threat provided, however, that no existing dam, based solely upon the enactment by any governmental unit of any new rule, regulation, ordinance, law, or other requirement passed after the construction of the dam, shall be deemed to constitute a serious threat to life or a threat of substantial property damage if it was designed and constructed under a permit from the State of Illinois in conformance with all applicable standards existing at the time of its construction and is in good repair. The Department shall be required, prior to taking any action to compel alteration or breaching of any dam, to furnish in writing to the owner of the dam (1) a detailed and specific list of defects discovered in the course of inspection of the dam, including the specific nature of any inadequacies in the capacity of the spillway system and any indications of seepage, erosion, or other evidence of structural deficiency in the dam or spillway; and (2) a statement of the applicable standards that if complied with by the owner of the dam would put the dam into compliance with the State's requirements. No order shall be issued requiring alteration of any existing dam until after notice and opportunity for hearing has been provided by the Department to the dam owners. If the owner or owners of the dam are unknown, notice will be provided by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the structure is located. Any order issued under this Section shall include a statement of the findings supporting the order. Opportunity for hearing is not required in emergency situations when the Department finds there is imminent hazard to personal public safety of people. The Department may enforce the provisions of this Section and of rules and orders issued hereunder by injunction or other appropriate action. Neither the Department of Natural Resources nor employees or agents of the Department shall be liable for damages sustained through the partial or total failure of any dam or the operation or maintenance of any dam by reason of the Department's regulation thereof. Nothing in this Act shall relieve an owner or operator of a dam from the legal duties, obligations, and liabilities arising from ownership or operation. (Source: P.A. 96-388, eff. 1-1-10; 97-916, eff. 8-9-12.)

615 ILCS 5/23b

(615 ILCS 5/23b) Sec. 23b. Dams; signs and buoys. (a) The Department of Natural Resources shall establish specifications for signs and devices that provide warnings of the presence of dams for persons using the public waters of the State. The Department shall establish such specifications pursuant to administrative rule. (b) For dams located in public waters and that are not subject to federal regulation regarding safety standards, the Department of Natural Resources shall examine each dam to determine hazards that may exist at each dam. (c) The Department of Natural Resources shall, after conducting the examination required under subsection (b) of this Section, submit administrative rules setting forth appropriate safety devices to be required at each dam. (d) The Department of Natural Resources shall be authorized to designate enforceable exclusion zones around dams pursuant to administrative rule. Violation of such exclusion zones shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor. (e) Except for willful and wanton misconduct, neither the Department of Natural Resources nor employees or agents of the Department shall be liable for damages, injuries, or deaths occurring at dams located in public waters by reason of the Department's regulation thereof pursuant to this Section. Nothing in this Act shall relieve an owner or operator of a dam from the legal duties, obligations, and liabilities arising from ownership or operation. (Source: P.A. 95-20, eff. 8-2-07.)

615 ILCS 5/24

(615 ILCS 5/24) (from Ch. 19, par. 71) Sec. 24. Title to the bed of Lake Michigan and all other meandered lakes in Illinois, set forth in the 1962 Report of the Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways, entitled "Meandered Lakes in Illinois", with Map Appendix, regardless of the location, size or shape is held in trust for the benefit of the People of the State of Illinois and the Department of Natural Resources is the agency designated as the trustee authorized to exercise administrative jurisdiction and control thereover in the execution of the powers and duties under this Act. It shall be the duty of the Department of Natural Resources, to carefully examine the shore lines of Lake Michigan, all other meandered lakes in Illinois and the Chicago River each year for the purpose of seeing that encroachments are not made upon or other unauthorized uses made of these bodies of water, and for the purpose of preventing any land being made along the said Chicago River, Lake Michigan or meandered lakes in such manner as might become an encroachment thereon. The Department, for the purpose of preventing fills, deposits of any character, or encroachments or other unauthorized uses in or upon any of the lakes or rivers of this State, and for the protection of navigation upon any of the navigable rivers and lakes of this State, or such rivers and lakes as are capable of being made navigable by improvement, is hereby authorized and empowered to lay out and fix shore or harbor lines through any city or municipality, or at any other locality where public interests may require, and to authorize the construction of retaining walls under proper restrictions and conditions. Any person or persons, city or municipality, or other agency, desiring to erect such wall, shall first secure a permit therefor upon application to and submission of plans, profiles and specifications to said Department of Natural Resources, the line upon which said construction is to be placed to be fixed by survey by said Department. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Section, or does any work herein designated without first obtaining a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/25

(615 ILCS 5/25) (from Ch. 19, par. 72) Sec. 25. The Attorney General, any State's Attorney of any county or any attorney authorized by the Department of Natural Resources shall have the power to represent said Department, and in the name of the State of Illinois, invoke for the purposes specified in this act, all of the power of the State to prevent the wrongs and injuries herein referred to, and for that purpose, such Attorney General, State's attorney or authorized attorney shall be deemed to be the proper representative of the State, with full power and authority upon its behalf to prosecute all necessary suits or actions. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/26

(615 ILCS 5/26) (from Ch. 19, par. 73) Sec. 26. The Department of Natural Resources shall, for the purpose of protecting the rights and interests of the State of Illinois, or the citizens of the State of Illinois, have full and complete jurisdiction of every public body of water in the State of Illinois, subject only to the paramount authority of the Government of the United States with reference to the navigation of such stream or streams, and the laws of Illinois, but nothing in this Act contained shall be construed or held to be any impairment whatsoever of the rights of the citizens of the State of Illinois to fully and in a proper manner, enjoy the use of any and all of the public waters of the State of Illinois, and the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources shall be deemed to be for the purpose of protecting the rights of the people of the State in the full and free enjoyment of all such bodies of water, and for the purpose of preventing unlawful and improper encroachment upon the same, or impairment of the rights of the people with reference thereto, and every proper use which the people may make of the public rivers and streams and lakes of the State of Illinois shall be aided, assisted, encouraged and protected by the Department of Natural Resources. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/26a

(615 ILCS 5/26a) (from Ch. 19, par. 74) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-142) Sec. 26a. The Department of Natural Resources may issue orders requiring all necessary remedial actions to correct violations of this Act and impose the civil penalties provided in this Section. All orders entered by the Department of Natural Resources shall be made only upon giving reasonable notice to persons to be affected by such orders; or having any interest in the subject matter of such orders and after a hearing in relation thereto. Any person who violates any provision of this Act; any rule or regulation adopted by the Department; any permit, term, or condition of this Act; or any order of the Department under this Act, shall be liable for a civil penalty of up to 2 times the applicable permit fee, but not to exceed $5,000 for a violation. The penalty fee may, upon order of the Department of Natural Resources or a court of competent jurisdiction, be made payable to the Department and deposited into the State Boating Act Fund for use by the Department for ordinary and contingent expenses. (Source: P.A. 99-73, eff. 1-1-16.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-142) Sec. 26a. The Department of Natural Resources may issue orders requiring all necessary remedial actions to correct violations of this Act and impose the civil penalties provided in this Section. All orders entered by the Department of Natural Resources shall be made only upon giving reasonable notice to persons to be affected by such orders; or having any interest in the subject matter of such orders and after a hearing in relation thereto. Any person who violates any provision of this Act; any rule or regulation adopted by the Department; any permit, term, or condition of this Act; or any order of the Department under this Act, shall be liable for a civil penalty of up to 2 times the applicable permit fee, but not to exceed $5,000 for a violation. The penalty fee may, upon order of the Department of Natural Resources or a court of competent jurisdiction, be made payable to the Department and deposited into the Water Resources Fund and may be used for the purposes as authorized under Section 59.14 of the Environmental Protection Act. The moneys deposited into the Water Resources Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act. (Source: P.A. 104-142, eff. 1-1-26.)

615 ILCS 5/26b

(615 ILCS 5/26b) (from Ch. 19, par. 75) Sec. 26b. The Department of Natural Resources may make such investigations and conduct such hearings as may be necessary to the performance of its duties under this Act. In making any investigation or conducting any hearing the Department may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses, and may administer oaths. Any person who shall be served with a subpoena to appear and testify, or to produce books and papers, and who shall refuse or neglect to appear or to testify, or to produce books and papers relevant to such investigation, as commanded in such subpoena, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Any circuit court of this State, upon application of the Department, may compel the attendance of witnesses, the production of books and papers and the giving of testimony before said Department by attachment for contempt as in other cases for refusal to obey the process and order of the court. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/26c

(615 ILCS 5/26c) (from Ch. 19, par. 75a) Sec. 26c. All final administrative decisions of the Department of Natural Resources hereunder shall be subject to judicial review pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/27

(615 ILCS 5/27) (from Ch. 19, par. 76) Sec. 27. At all times this act shall be construed in a liberal manner for the purpose of preserving to the State of Illinois and the people of the State, fully and unimpaired, the rights which the State of Illinois and the people of the State of Illinois may have in any of the public waters of the State of Illinois, and to give them in connection therewith, the fullest possible enjoyment thereof, and to prevent to the fullest extent, the slightest improper encroachment or invasion upon the rights of the State of Illinois, or any of its citizens with reference thereto. (Source: Laws 1939, p. 308.)

615 ILCS 5/29

(615 ILCS 5/29) (from Ch. 19, par. 77) Sec. 29. No provision of this Act shall be construed as limiting or impairing the powers and rights heretofore granted to any board of park commissioners, now existing, where such board of park commissioners have control of a park or parks within the limits of cities having a population of 200,000 or over, and where such park commissioners are appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois, or by judges of the Circuit Court of the county in which such park district is located. Provided, however, that before any new work is done by any such board of park commissioners affecting submerged lands in navigable waters of the State of Illinois the plans for all such work shall be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources for approval before said work is undertaken. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

615 ILCS 5/29a

(615 ILCS 5/29a) (from Ch. 19, par. 78) Sec. 29a. Construction permits; maintenance and repairs; clear cutting. (a) After July 1, 1985, no person, State agency, or unit of local government shall undertake construction in a public body of water or in a stream without a permit from the Department of Natural Resources. No permit shall be required in a stream which is not a public body of water, draining less than one square mile in an urban area or less than ten square miles in a rural area. No permits shall be required for field tile systems, tile outlet structures, terraces, water and sediment control basins, grade stabilization structures, or grassed waterways which do not obstruct flood flows. Any artificially improved stream channel, drainage ditch, levee, or pumping station existing in serviceable condition on July 1, 1985 may be maintained and repaired to preserve design capacity and function without a permit. Maintenance and repair of improved channels, ditches or levees shall follow accepted practices to reduce, as practical, scour, erosion, sedimentation, escape of loose material and debris, disturbance of adjacent trees and vegetation, and obstruction of flood flows. (b) No person, State agency, or unit of local government, except (i) a unit of local government with a population greater than 500,000 and (ii) a commercial or industrial facility, the operation of which falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers or the United States Coast Guard under Section 10 of the Federal Rivers and Harbors Act, may clear cut trees within 15 yards of waters listed by the Department under Section 5 as navigable, except as follows: (1) for the purpose of improving, maintaining, repairing, constructing, or reconstructing any highway, road, bridge, culvert, drainage structure, drainage facility, or grade separation under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation or any municipality, public water facility, road district, highway commissioner, or drainage district; (2) for maintenance and improvement of drainage of or on agricultural land; and (3) for the purpose of improving, maintaining, repairing, constructing, or reconstructing any facility for the distribution, transmission, or generation of electricity. For the purpose of this subsection, "clear cutting" means the complete removal of mature or established trees covering an area of 400 square yards or more of which leaves less than 50% of the existing forest cover. "Clear cutting" does not include any of the following: (1) The removal of brush or woody debris. (2) The selective cutting of diseased, dying, or dead trees. (3) The selective cutting of individual trees for the purpose of home construction. (4) The selective cutting of individual trees that pose a threat to private property. (5) The clearing of trees for restoration purposes to include: (i) removal of non-native tree species and the subsequent reestablishment of native tree species; (ii) thinning of trees for the purposes of encouraging the growth of preferential tree species; (iii) restoration of wetlands, prairies, or other natural areas that will not cause or contribute to streambank destabilization. (6) The removal of trees or woody vegetation pursuant to any State or Federal conservation plan contracts, or when approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department. The Department of Natural Resources may adopt rules for the administration of this subsection and shall adopt rules permitting a municipality with a population of 500,000 or less to petition the Department of Natural Resources to permit clear cutting to accommodate necessary socioeconomic development projects. (Source: P.A. 91-907, eff. 1-1-01.)

615 ILCS 5/30

(615 ILCS 5/30) (from Ch. 19, par. 78.1) Sec. 30. The Department of Natural Resources may make such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer this Act. The Department may adopt emergency rules in accordance with Sections 5-45 and 5-45.55 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Sections 5-45 and 5-45.55 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and this paragraph is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare. (Source: P.A. 103-905, eff. 1-1-25.)

615 ILCS 5/35

(615 ILCS 5/35) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-142) Sec. 35. Permit fees. The Department of Natural Resources shall collect a fee of up to $5,000 per application for permits issued under this Act. The Department of Natural Resources shall set the specific fee applicable to different permits issued under this Act by administrative rule, provided that no fee exceeds $5,000. All fees collected pursuant to this Section shall be deposited in the State Boating Act Fund for use by the Department of Natural Resources for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Natural Resources. No permit application shall be processed until the application fee is paid to the Department of Natural Resources. The monies deposited into the State Boating Act Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act. (Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-142) Sec. 35. Permit fees. The Department of Natural Resources shall collect a fee of up to $5,000 per application for permits issued under this Act. The Department of Natural Resources shall set the specific fee applicable to different permits issued under this Act by administrative rule, provided that no fee exceeds $5,000. All fees collected pursuant to this Section shall be deposited in the Water Resources Fund and may be used for the purposes as authorized under Section 59.14 of the Environmental Protection Act. No permit application shall be processed until the application fee is paid to the Department of Natural Resources. The monies deposited into the Water Resources Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act. (Source: P.A. 104-142, eff. 1-1-26.)
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.aspFetched: 10/17/2026

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