2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 45 - INTERSTATE COMPACTS › 45 ILCS 135/ - Wabash Valley Compact Act.

(45 ILCS 135/0.01) (from Ch. 127, par. 63t)
Sec. 0.01. 
		Short title. 
		This Act may be cited as the
Wabash Valley Compact Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1324.)
(45 ILCS 135/1) (from Ch. 127, par. 63t-1)
Sec. 1. 
		
		The State of Illinois ratifies and approves the following
compact:
THE WABASH VALLEY COMPACT
ARTICLE I. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE
The party states find that the Wabash Valley has suffered from a lack of
comprehensive planning for the optimal use of its human and natural
resources and that under-utilization and inadequate benefits from its
potential wealth are likely to continue until there is proper
organization
to encourage and facilitate coordinated development of the Wabash Valley
as
a region and to relate its agricultural, industrial, commercial,
recreational, transportation, development and other problems to the
opportunities in the Valley. To this end it is the purpose of the party
states to recognize and provide for such development and coordination
and
to establish an agency of the party states with powers sufficient and
appropriate to further regional planning for the Valley.
ARTICLE II. THE VALLEY
As used in this compact, the term "Wabash Valley" shall mean the Wabash
River, its tributaries and all land drained by said river and
tributaries,
to whatever extent they lie within the party states.
ARTICLE III. THE WABASH VALLEY INTERSTATE COMMISSION
(a) There is hereby created an agency of the party states to be known as
the Wabash Valley Interstate Commission (hereinafter called the
Commission). The Commission shall be composed of seven Commissioners
from
each party state designated or appointed in accordance with the law of
the
state which they represent and serving and subject to removal in
accordance
with such law. The federal government may be represented without vote if
provision is made by federal law for such representation.
(b) The Commissioners of the party states shall each be entitled to one
vote in the Commission. No action of the Commission shall be binding
unless
taken at a meeting in which a majority of the members from each party
state
are present and unless a majority of those from each state concur,
provided
that any action not binding for such a reason may be ratified within
thirty
days by the concurrence of a majority of each state. In the absence of
any
Commissioner, his vote may be cast by another representative or
Commissioner of his state provided that said Commissioner or other
representative casting said vote shall have a written proxy in proper
form
as may be required by the Commission.
(c) The Commission may sue and be sued, and shall have a seal.
(d) The Commission shall elect annually, from among its members, a
chairman, a vice-chairman and a treasurer. The Commission shall appoint
an
executive director who shall also act as secretary, and who, together
with
the treasurer, shall be bonded in such amounts as the Commission may
require.
(e) The Commission shall appoint and remove or discharge such personnel
as may be necessary for the performance of the Commission's functions
irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit system laws
of
any of the party states.
(f) The Commission may establish and maintain, independently or in
conjunction with any one or more of the party states, a suitable
retirement
system for its employees. Employees of the Commission shall be eligible
for
social security coverage in respect of old-age and survivors insurance
provided that the Commission takes such steps as may be necessary
pursuant
to federal law to participate in such program of insurance as a
governmental agency or unit. The Commission may establish and maintain
or
participate in such additional programs of employee benefits as may be
appropriate to afford employees of the Commission terms and conditions
of
employment similar to those enjoyed by employees of the party states
generally.
(g) The Commission may borrow, accept, or contract for the services of
personnel from any state or the United States or any subdivision or
agency
thereof, from any interstate agency, or from any institution, person,
firm
or corporation.
(h) The Commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions
under this compact any and all donations, and grants of money,
equipment,
supplies, materials and services, conditional or otherwise, from any
state
or the United States or any subdivision or agency thereof, or interstate
agency, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation, and may
receive, utilize and dispose of the same.
(i) The Commission may establish and maintain such facilities as may be
necessary for the transacting of its business. The Commission may
acquire,
hold, and convey real and personal property and any interest therein.
(j) The Commission may adopt, amend, and rescind bylaws, rules and
regulations for the conduct of its business.
(k) The Commission annually shall make to the Governor of each party
state, a report covering the activities of the Commission for the
preceding
year, and embodying such recommendations as may have been adopted by the
Commission which report shall be transmitted to the legislature of said
state. The Commission may issue such additional reports as it may deem
desirable.
ARTICLE IV. FINANCES
(a) The Commission shall submit to the executive head or designated
officer or officers of each party state a budget of its estimated
expenditures for such period as may be required by the laws of that
jurisdiction for presentation to the legislature thereof.
(b) Each of the Commission's budgets of estimated expenditures shall
contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be
appropriated by each of the party states. Subject to appropriation by
the
respective legislatures the Commission shall be provided with such funds
by
each of the party states as are necessary to provide the means of
establishing and maintaining facilities, a staff of personnel, and such
activities as may be necessary to fulfill the powers and duties imposed
upon and entrusted to the Commission.
(c) The Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part
with funds available to it under Article III(h) of this compact,
provided
that the Commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior
to
the incurring of any obligation to be met in whole or in part in this
manner. Except where the Commission makes use of funds available to it
under Article III(h) hereof, the Commission shall not incur any
obligations
prior to the allotment of funds by the party jurisdictions adequate to
meet
the same.
(d) The expenses and any other costs for each member of the Commission
shall be met by the Commission in accordance with such standards and
procedures as it may establish under its bylaws.
(e) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and
disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be
subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its
bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
Commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant and
the
report of the audit shall be included in and become a part of the annual
report of the Commission.
(f) The accounts of the Commission shall be open at any reasonable time
for inspection.
ARTICLE V. ADVICE AND COOPERATION
(a) The Commission shall establish a technical advisory committee which
shall be composed of representatives of such departments or agencies of
the
governments of the party states as have significant interest in the
subject
matter of the Commission's work: Provided that if pursuant to the laws
of a
party state a representative of any such department or agency serves as
a
member of the Commission said department or agency need not be
represented
on the technical advisory committee. The Commission shall provide under
its
bylaws for procedures for the reference of questions to such committee.
(b) The Commission may establish other advisory and technical committees
composed of private citizens, expert and lay personnel, representatives
of
industry, labor, commerce, agriculture, civic associations, and
officials
of local, state and federal government, and may cooperate with and use
the
services of any such committee and the organizations which they
represent
in furthering any of its activities under this compact. The Commission
shall encourage citizen organization and activity for the promotion of
the
objectives of this compact.
ARTICLE VI. FUNCTIONS
The Commission shall have power to:
A. Promote the balanced development of the Wabash Valley by
(1) Correlating and reporting on data significant to such
development.
(2) Recommending the coordination of studies by the agencies of the
party states to provide such data.
(3) Publishing and disseminating materials and studies which will
encourage the economic development of the Valley.
(4) Recommending standards as guides for local and state zoning and
other action which will promote balanced development by encouraging the
establishment of industrial parks to facilitate industrial development,
the
reservation of stream bank and lake shore areas for recreation and
public
access to water, the preservation of marshes and other suitable areas as
wild life preserves, the afforestation and sustained yield forest
management of submarginal lands, the protection of scenic values and
amenities and other appropriate measures.
(5) Preparing in cooperation with appropriate governmental agencies a
master plan for the identification and programming of public works.
(6) Cooperating with all appropriate governmental agencies in the
encouragement of tourist traffic and facilities in the Valley.
B. Recommend integrated plans and programs for the conservation,
development and proper utilization of the water, land and related
natural
resources of the Wabash Valley, including but not limited to:
(1) Encouraging the classification of Valley lands in terms of
appropriate uses.
(2) Cooperating in the development of appropriate plans for flood
protection, including but not limited to the construction of protective
works and reservoirs.
(3) Developing public awareness of the need for flood plain zoning
and in cooperation with the appropriate agencies of the party states and
their political subdivisions evolving standards for the implementation
and
application of such zoning in the Valley.
(4) Reviewing the need for and appropriate sources of suitable water
supplies for domestic, municipal, agricultural, power, industrial,
recreation and transportation purposes.
(5) Encouraging a pattern of land use and resource management which
will increase the natural wealth of the Valley and promote the welfare
of
its inhabitants.
(6) In cooperation with appropriate agencies, analyzing the
recreational needs and potential of the Valley and developing a program
for
the use and maximization of recreational resources.
C. Secure the necessary research and developmental activities by:
(1) Correlating such research and developmental activities as are
placed within its purview by this compact. The Commission may engage in
original investigation and research on its own account or secure the
undertaking thereof by a qualified public or private agency.
(2) Making contracts for studies, investigations and research in any
of the fields of its interest.
(3) Publishing and disseminating reports.
D. Make recommendations for appropriate action to:
(1) The legislatures and executive heads of the party states and the
federal government.
(2) The agencies of the party states and the federal government.
E. Undertake such additional functions as may hereafter be delegated to
or imposed upon it from time to time by the action of the legislature of
a
party state concurred in by the legislature of the other.
ARTICLE VII. ENACTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL
This compact shall become effective when entered into and enacted into
law by the states of Illinois and Indiana. The compact shall continue in
force and remain binding upon each party state until renounced by
legislative action of either party state.
ARTICLE VIII. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase,
clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be
unconstitutional or the applicability thereof to any state, agency,
person
or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder
of
this compact and the applicability thereof to any other state, agency,
person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. It is the
legislative
intent that the provisions of this compact be reasonably and liberally
construed.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 59.)
(45 ILCS 135/2) (from Ch. 127, par. 63t-2)
Sec. 2. 
		
		The Governor shall appoint and designate the terms of seven
commissioners to represent this State on the Wabash Valley Interstate
Commission. Of the Commissioners first appointed, two shall serve for terms
expiring April 1, 1961; two for terms expiring April 1, 1963; and three for
terms expiring April 1, 1965. At the expiration of the term of each
commissioner and of each succeeding commissioner, the Governor shall
appoint a successor who shall hold office for a term of six years beginning
April 1 of the year in which the preceding term expired. Each commissioner
shall hold office until his successor has been appointed and qualified. The
Governor shall fill any vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 59.)
(45 ILCS 135/3) (from Ch. 127, par. 63t-3)
Sec. 3. 
		
		The several departments, agencies and officers of this state
are authorized to cooperate with the Wabash Valley Interstate
Commission. Within existing statutory authorizations, any such
department, agency or officer may make contract with, lend, or otherwise
furnish the Wabash Valley Interstate Commission with such items and
services as are contemplated by any provision of the compact.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 59.)