HB 3639 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

COMMUNITY FORESTRY ASSISTANCE

Summary

Amends the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act. Provides that requests for grant assistance shall include, but not be limited to, those activities that will implement or enhance: (1) current Illinois Forest Action Plans objectives; (2) local Forestry Program management objectives as determined by an urban and community forestry management plan; (3) build tree canopy capacity in underserved and disadvantaged areas of communities or counties; or (4) improve urban and community forest canopy in Illinois communities and counties. Makes changes in provisions duties of the Department of Natural Resources; the concerning grants. amounts. Defines terms.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Last action Apr 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its initial introduction to its final engrossed version, incorporating substantive policy changes to expand grant eligibility and clarify departmental duties. The primary additions focus on prioritizing funding for underserved communities and improving urban heat island effects, while also refining the criteria for what projects qualify for financial assistance.

Scope change

The scope of eligible projects was expanded to explicitly include building tree canopy in underserved and disadvantaged areas and reducing urban heat island effects.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific criteria requiring grant requests to prioritize building tree canopy in underserved and disadvantaged areas of communities or counties.

Added environmental health goals to the evaluation process, specifically focusing on reducing the urban heat island effect and lowering energy consumption.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the list of eligible activities to include developing or implementing a forestry management plan for the local government unit.

Updated the Department's duties to include providing guidance to local governments seeking information on urban and community forestry.

DEFINITION

Adjusted the definition of 'Public tree inventory' to clarify that it includes collected data and assessments of public trees.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 11, 2025

Committee

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 009-000-000

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee; by Voice Vote

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Introduced

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Maura Hirschauer

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors