CONSERVATION OPP AREA-NOTICE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Blaine Wilhour

DNR must notify every household in a Conservation Opportunity Area that they live there, with content and delivery chosen by DNR; no penalties or funding required.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Purpose / Intent

HB 3793 amends the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Act to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to notify people who live in designated "Conservation Opportunity Areas" (COAs) that they reside within one. The stated intent is to inform residents about the COA designation and related conservation priorities identified in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.

Key provisions

Adds new Section 25.1 to 525 ILCS 31 (Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Act).

Definition: establishes "Conservation Opportunity Area" as an area identified in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan where conservation opportunities, species of greatest conservation need, their habitats, and related ecological (and apparently social) conditions are determined by the Department. (The introduced text contains formatting/wording errors; see “Notes” below.)

Notification requirement:

DNR must notify all persons residing in a Conservation Opportunity Area that they reside in a COA.
DNR must send one notice per household.
The Department is authorized to determine both the content of the notice and the manner of notification (e.g., mail, electronic, posted).

No new penalties, participation requirements, or funding allocations are specified in the introduced text.

Who is affected

Residents/households located within areas the DNR designates as Conservation Opportunity Areas — they would receive one notification.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources — responsible for identifying households in COAs, creating the notice content, and carrying out the notification.

Potential indirect effects on local governments and conservation partners (outreach coordination, landowner engagement), but the bill does not compel local action.

Implementation and likely impacts

Administrative tasks for DNR: map/identify COAs, determine resident lists, draft notice content, and conduct the mailing/notification — producing modest operational costs (staff time, postage, systems).

Benefits: increased public awareness of conservation priorities; may facilitate outreach, voluntary participation in conservation programs, and better coordination with residents.

Limitations: bill does not require frequency of notification beyond initial notice, specify content standards, require translations, or allocate funding.

Legislative status & timeline (selected)

Introduced 2/18/2025 by Rep. Blaine Wilhour (filed 3/5/2025).

Committee referrals and hearings in House and Senate (Agriculture & Conservation; Transportation; Economic Development).

Passed (House) 5/16/2025; transmitted to the other chamber 5/19/2025.

Committee activity in late May 2025; placed on calendars 5/28/2025.

Companion bill: SB 2589.

Notes on the bill text

The introduced version contains typographical and formatting errors in the COA definition (fragmented sentences). The summary above reflects the bill’s clear administrative requirement to notify residents and the apparent intended definition of COAs as areas identified in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan for species and habitat conservation. For authoritative language, consult the enrolled bill or later amended versions.

Bill