20 ILCS 801/1-15
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH|20 ILCS 801/ - Department of Natural Resources Act.|Article 1 - General Provisions

Sec. 1-15. General powers and duties.(a) It shall be the duty of the Department to investigate practical  problems, implement studies, conduct research and provide assistance,  information and data relating to the technology and administration of  the natural history, entomology, zoology, and botany of this State; the geology  and natural resources of this State; the water and atmospheric resources of  this State; and the archeological and cultural history of this State.(b) The Department (i) shall obtain, store, and process relevant  data; recommend technological, administrative, and legislative changes and  developments; cooperate with other federal, state, and local governmental  research agencies, facilities, or institutes in the selection of projects  for study; cooperate with the Board of Higher Education and with the public  and private colleges and universities in this State in developing relevant  interdisciplinary approaches to problems; and evaluate curricula at all  levels  of education and provide assistance to instructors and (ii) may  sponsor an  annual  conference of leaders in government, industry, health, and education to  evaluate the state of this State's environment and natural resources.(c) The Director, in accordance with the Personnel Code, shall employ  such personnel, provide such facilities, and contract for such outside services  as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Department.  Maximum use  shall be made of existing federal and state agencies, facilities, and personnel  in conducting research under this Act.(d) In addition to its other powers, the Department has the following  powers:(1) To obtain, store, process, and provide data and     information related to the powers and duties of the Department under this Act. This subdivision (d)(1) does not give authority to the Department to require reports from nongovernmental sources or entities.(2) To cooperate with and support the Illinois     Science and Technology Advisory Committee and the Illinois Coalition for the purpose of facilitating the effective operations and activities of such entities.  Support may include, but need not be limited to, providing space for the operations of the Committee and the Illinois Coalition.(e) The Department is authorized to make grants to local not-for-profit  organizations for the purposes of development, maintenance and study of  wetland areas.(f) The Department has the authority to accept, receive and administer  on behalf of the State any gifts, bequests, donations, income from property  rental and endowments.  Any such funds received by the Department shall be  deposited into the Natural Resources Fund, a special fund which is hereby  created in the State treasury, and used for the purposes of this Act or,  when appropriate, for such purposes and under such restrictions, terms and  conditions as are predetermined by the donor or grantor of such funds or  property.  Any accrued interest from money deposited into the Natural  Resources Fund shall be reinvested into the Fund and used in the same  manner as the principal. The Director shall maintain records which account  for and assure that restricted funds or property are disbursed or used  pursuant to the restrictions, terms or conditions of the donor.(g) The Department shall recognize, preserve, and promote our special  heritage of recreational hunting and trapping by providing opportunities to  hunt and trap in accordance with the Wildlife Code.(h) Within 5 years after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the Department shall fly a United States Flag, an Illinois flag, and a POW/MIA flag at all State parks. Donations may be made by groups and individuals to the Department's Special Projects Fund for costs related to the implementation of this subsection. (Source: P.A. 102-388, eff. 1-1-22.)