Illinois · Senate Bill 2781 · 103rd General Assembly

FORESTS-WETLANDS-PRAIRIES

SB 2781 Sponsored by Rachel Ventura Became law

  1. Introduced Jan 17, 2024
  2. In committee Jan 17, 2024
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 11, 2024
  4. Passed the House May 22, 2024
  5. To the governor Jun 20, 2024
  6. Became law Aug 9, 2024

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Creates the Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to the comprehensive plan and subject to appropriation, shall establish and administer a…

Read the full title (242 words)

Creates the Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to the comprehensive plan and subject to appropriation, shall establish and administer a Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program to restore degraded forest lands and native prairies, and to promote the growth of native vegetation that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to mitigate the impact of climate change. Provides that units of local government are eligible to submit a grant proposal in a format and at a time prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that grants may be used by units of local government to fund: (1) local projects restoring or expanding forests, wetlands, prairies, or other natural landscapes demonstrated to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; (2) education and marketing regarding local projects or steps community members may take to promote the growth of native vegetation that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and (3) any other purpose approved by the Department of Natural Resources that advances the State goal that there be no overall net loss of the State's existing forest, prairie, or wetland acres or their functional value due to State-supported activities. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act and the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Every action

49 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 41 earlier steps
  1. SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura
  2. SenateFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Environment and Conservation · Senate Environment and Conservation
  5. CommitteePostponed - Environment and Conservation · Senate Environment and Conservation
  6. SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Rachel Ventura
  7. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  8. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Environment and Conservation · Senate Environment and Conservation
  9. SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison
  10. SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  11. CommitteeDo Pass as Amended Environment and Conservation; 006-003-000 · Senate Environment and Conservation
  12. SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2024
  13. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino
  14. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
  15. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci
  16. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
  17. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
  18. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson
  19. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
  20. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva
  21. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa
  22. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
  23. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman
  24. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
  25. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III
  26. SenateSecond Reading
  27. SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 20, 2024
  28. SenateThird Reading - Passed; 057-002-000
  29. SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
  30. HouseArrived in House
  31. HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh
  32. HouseFirst Reading
  33. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  34. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
  35. CommitteeAssigned to Energy & Environment Committee · House Energy & Environment
  36. CommitteeDo Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 026-000-000 · House Energy & Environment
  37. HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  38. HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
  39. HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  40. HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  41. SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
  1. HouseThird Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 24, 2024
  2. HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 086-022-000
  3. SenatePassed Both Houses
  4. HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet
  5. SenateSent to the Governor
  6. SenateGovernor Approved
  7. SenateEffective Date January 1, 2025
  8. SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0923

Roll calls

6 recorded votes: 2 on the floor, 4 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Third Reading · Full Senate

Passed 57–2
Apr 11, 2024 · journal entry
Yes 57 No 2
Democrats: 40 yes, 0 no Republicans: 17 yes, 2 no
How each member voted

Yes · 57

No · 2

Third Reading · Full House

Passed 86–22
May 22, 2024 · journal entry
Yes 86 No 22 Not voting 9
Democrats: 71 yes, 1 no Republicans: 15 yes, 21 no
How each member voted

Yes · 86

No · 22

Not voting · 1

Excused · 8

Committee and other votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Feb 8, 2024 Senate Environment and Conservation Environment and Conservation - Do Pass
Members

Yes · 4

No · 3

Not voting · 2

 4–3
Mar 7, 2024 Senate Environment and Conservation Environment and Conservation - Do Pass As Amended
Members

Yes · 6

No · 3

 Passed 6–3
Mar 7, 2024 Senate Environment and Conservation Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Environment and Conservation - Be Adopted
Members

Yes · 9

 9–0
Apr 30, 2024 House Energy & Environment Energy & Environment - Do Pass
Members

Yes · 26

Not voting · 3

 Passed 26–0

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 18 cosponsors: 18 Democrats.

All 18 cosponsors

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.