Environment

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is located within a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 100% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Specifies that a project that is located within a distressed community, regardless of whether the project is located within a distressed location, is eligible for assistance up to 90% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is not located in a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 75% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to prioritize the making of grants under the Act for projects that are located in distressed locations and distressed communities. Sets limits on the appropriated amounts that may be used for grants to distressed communities and distressed locations. Repeals a provision that required the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a Distressed Local Government Report. Repeals provisions that define terms. Adds other definitions. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants emergency rulemaking powers to the Department of Natural Resources.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the River Access Modernization Act. Affirms the public's right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters for canoeing, boating, kayaking, and angling, subject to protection of private property rights and environmental values. Provides that the public right of use does not include crossing private uplands or exiting onto private land without permission. Establishes landowner liability protections. Prohibits littering and alteration of flora and fauna. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Natural Resources to designate public access points, resolve conflicts, promote safety and conservation education, and maintain a listing of navigable waterways. Defines "navigable water" and "public recreational use".

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Natural Resources shall design, implement, and evaluate not more than 3 demonstration projects that test natural flood risk reduction practices in flood-prone areas of the State, as determined by the Department, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department may require a county to submit to the Department a progress report with certain information. Provides that the Department shall submit to the General Assembly and to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security a report with certain information. Allows the Department to adopt rules.

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that Department has the power to expend moneys appropriated to the Department from the Park and Conservation Fund in the State treasury for furtherance of the Department's programs or for use by the Department for the Department's normal operations and for the construction and maintenance of State owned, leased, and managed sites (rather than the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department). Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the Park and Conservation Fund Account in the Build Illinois Fund to the Park and Conservation Fund 1/12 of $10,000,000, plus any cumulative deficiency in those transfers for prior months, for any purposes (rather than Conservation and Park purposes) as enumerated in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law or for the same purposes as specified in any other State general obligation bond Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the moneys deposited in the Park and Conservation Fund shall be used as provided for in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (rather than for the development and acquisition of bike paths).

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall use, or cause or allow the use of, any site on which a former waste disposal operation is located in a manner that is inconsistent with the closure of the waste disposal operation. Lists prohibited uses.

Amends the Natural Resource Restoration Trust Fund Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall establish the Natural Resource Restoration Trust Grant Program to make grants to applicants for the restoration or replacement of injured or damaged natural resources resulting from claims pursued under the laws of the United States, the laws of this State, other statutory laws, or common law. Provides that the following entities may apply for grants under the Act: (i) units of local government; (ii) soil and water conservation districts; (iii) area-wide agencies, including counties, regional planning agencies, or both; (iv) nonprofit organizations; (iv) public or private institutes of higher education; (v) port authorities; and (vi) federally recognized tribes. Provides that the Department shall issue grants if (i) the requested grant complies with the purpose for which the Department was to provide funds and is subject to the requirements of all applicable court orders and (ii) the grant complies with the criteria established by administrative rule for the issuance of the grant. Provides that grants shall not be awarded to a grantee that is responsible for the pollution event that is the subject or basis for the issuance of the grant. Effective July 1, 2027.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, in the case of water main installation projects, all water main-related appurtenances, and specifically fire hydrants and valves, shall be included in the Agency's written approval of specified public water supply plans. Requires fire hydrants and valves to be designed and installed in accordance with specified standards.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, when determining whether certain local siting review criteria have been met, the county board of the county or the governing body of the municipality, as applicable, shall consider, among other things, vehicle emissions and the potential cumulative impacts created by the addition of the facility to the existing pollution sources, the disparate impacts created by the addition of the facility to existing pollution sources, and the potential disparate impacts on nearby communities. Requires the local siting decisions of the Pollution Control Board to include a written statement describing whether the procedures were conducted by the county board or governing body in a manner that is accessible to the public, including individuals with disabilities and individuals who are not native speakers of English.