Illinois Compiled Statutes 525 ILCS 40 — State Forest Act.

Short title

Short title. This Act may be cited as the State Forest Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

The Department of Natural Resources shall have control, supervision and management of all State forests herein provided for and hereafter to be established

The Department of Natural Resources shall have control, supervision and management of all State forests herein provided for and hereafter to be established. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

State forests shall include only such lands as are decided by the Department of Natural Resources to be more valuable for the growing of forests than for other purposes, and shall have for their purpose the production of forest products, the protection of watersheds that are subject to serious erosion, the maintenance…

The following described areas are designated as State forests: Big River State Forest in Henderson County; Hidden Springs State Forest in Shelby County; Lowden-Miller State Forest in Ogle County; Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County; Spoon River State Forest in Knox County; Trail of Tears State Forest in Union Count…

The Department of Natural Resources may purchase, lease, receive by donation or legacy or take options on tracts of land suitable for State forests

The Department of Natural Resources may purchase, lease, receive by donation or legacy or take options on tracts of land suitable for State forests. The Department may also acquire title by condemnation in the name of the State of Illinois under the laws relating to eminent domain. Such proceedings shall be conducted b…

Eminent domain

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.)

From time to time, as tracts of land are acquired, the department shall designate and organize such lands as State forests

From time to time, as tracts of land are acquired, the department shall designate and organize such lands as State forests. The department shall protect such lands from wildfire and trespass and cause them to be so managed as to produce continuous crops of timber for use of the people and industries of the State. (Sour…

Timber grown on such forests may be sold under rules and regulations of the department, but all cutting and removal of forest products shall be in accordance with the best practices of forestry

Timber grown on such forests may be sold under rules and regulations of the department, but all cutting and removal of forest products shall be in accordance with the best practices of forestry. The department shall make such forests accessible to the general public by improved highways leading through them. All revenu…

The Department shall have the authority to take all measures necessary to secure plants and plant materials from private sources and to establish and operate nurseries to produce and distribute plants and plant materials. The Department shall develop and implement a program of securing plants and plant materials from p…

The following described areas are designated as State nurseries: Mason State Nursery in Mason County; Union State Nursery in Union County

The following described areas are designated as State nurseries: Mason State Nursery in Mason County; Union State Nursery in Union County. (Source: P.A. 85-150.)

The department shall employ such foresters, cruisers and other assistance as are necessary for the acquisition of such State forests and for their administration, protection, improvement and use

The department shall employ such foresters, cruisers and other assistance as are necessary for the acquisition of such State forests and for their administration, protection, improvement and use. It shall make reasonable rules for the regulation of the use of such State forests by the public. Such regulations and rules…

Whoever: 1

Whoever: 1. Wilfully destroys, injures or defaces a guide post, sign, fence, enclosure or structure within a State forest; or 2. Wilfully destroys, injures or removes a tree, shrub or plant or flower within a State forest; or 3. Violates any reasonable regulation adopted by the Department and published by posting in co…

The department shall have authority to designate portions of the State forests as wildlife or fish sanctuaries and shall promulgate rules and regulations for the protection and breeding of wildlife or fish within such areas. (Source: P.A. 81-358.)