STATE MUSEUM-DUTIES & POWERS

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Authorizes the Illinois State Museum to cooperate with the Illinois State Academy of Science and the Illinois State Museum Society, but the cooperation does not grant any special rights, authority, or privileges to the Academy or Society. Removes the Board of the Illinois State Museum Society as the governing board and replaces it with the Department of Natural Resources. Changes the makeup of the Board as follows: the Board shall be composed of 11 persons who shall be appointed by the Governor; any members appointed before July 1, 2026 shall serve the full term for which they were appointed, unless removed by the Governor; on or after July 1, 2026, 9 members shall have at least 5 years of experience practicing or teaching in natural sciences, anthropology, art, history, or business, and shall be from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations across the State of Illinois and 2 members shall be representatives of community-based organizations, irrespective of background and experience; starting on July 1, 2026, the makeup of the Board shall consist of 6 individuals from a historically marginalized identity; all members appointed after January 1, 2025 shall serve for 2-year terms; and the Governor shall be entitled to remove any member due to incompetency, dereliction of duty or malfeasance. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.