HB4654 - CONSERVATION FOUNDATION ACT

1 Co-Sponsor

Amends the Illinois Conservation Foundation Act. Defines terms. Provides that the Foundation's Board of Directors shall be 9 members appointed by the Governor. Provides that one appointed member shall serve a two-year term and one appointed member shall serve a three-year term. Provides that the remaining 7 members shall have four-year terms. Eliminates the requirement that vacancies be filled by the official who made the recommendation for the vacated appointment. Provides that the Governor may immediately remove members for neglect of duty, incompetence, or malfeasance. Requires the Director of Natural Resources, or the Director's designee, to serve as a non-voting ex officio member of the Board. Requires the Director to select an Executive Director of the Foundation, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Director, and shall be employed by the Foundation. Requires that an annual budget be prepared by the Executive Director and the Board and that the budget be presented to and approved by the Director within 30 days before the expiration of the previously approved budget. Specifies that the budget may be adopted only upon the approval of the Director. Provides that prior to commencing projects, the Foundation shall coordinate with the Department to assess and prioritize the Department's needs with respect to the acquisition, construction, improvement, and development of potential projects. Requires the Department to provide reasonable assistance to the Foundation to achieve the purposes of the Foundation, provided there are no conflicts of interest between the interests of the Department and the Foundation. Requires the Foundation to cooperate fully with the boards, commissions, agencies, departments, and institutions of the State, including the Office of the Executive Inspector General (for the Agencies of the Governor). Requires the Foundation to comply with the Open Meetings Act, when carrying out its duties and engaging in its statutory activities under the Act.