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HB 2681

PARK DIST AQUARIUM/MUSEUM ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Camille Lilly

Gives park districts and municipalities authority to build, lease, and finance public park aquariums and museums, including 99-year leases and maintenance taxes.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2681

Summary — HB 2681: Park District and Municipal Aquarium and Museum Act (Illinois)

Note: the materials submitted included text from an unrelated Arizona House Bill also numbered 2681 (on abortion‑inducing drugs). This summary addresses the Illinois measure titled the Park District (and Municipal) Aquarium and Museum Act introduced by Rep. Camille Y. Lilly.

Main purpose

Modernize and clarify Illinois law authorizing aquariums and museums in public parks by:
- changing the Act’s short title to the “Park District and Municipal Aquarium and Museum Act,”
- replacing references to “city/cities” with the broader “municipality/municipalities,” and
- explicitly allowing both park district boards and municipal corporate authorities to undertake and finance aquarium/museum projects (including levying a maintenance tax).

Key provisions

  • Short title changed to the “Park District and Municipal Aquarium and Museum Act.”
  • Terminology updated: references to “city”/“cities” replaced with “municipality”/“municipalities,” extending the statute’s coverage beyond cities to all municipalities.
  • Authority expanded: corporate authorities of municipalities, as well as park district boards, may purchase, erect, maintain, lease, or contract for aquariums and museums located in public parks.
  • Long-term lease: municipalities/park districts may enter leases for an initial term up to 99 years (subject to renewal) allowing nonprofit corporations or societies to construct, operate, and maintain facilities.
  • Public access requirements:
    • Museums/aquariums may charge admission, but must offer free access to K–12 students when accompanied by a teacher.
    • Must be open free to Illinois residents for a total of 52 days per year (with at least 6 days during June–August). Specific transitional language for earlier calendar years appears in the bill text.
    • Gold Star Family members receiving certain resident ID documentation must be admitted free year‑round.
  • Revenue and fees:
    • Charges for special services/facilities are permitted; proceeds from such charges must be devoted exclusively to the purposes authorized for the maintenance tax.
  • Eminent domain and property: corporate authorities (municipalities) or park boards may condemn adjacent lands necessary for these facilities under the Eminent Domain Act.
  • Conforming edits: makes conforming changes to the Park District Code, Chicago Park District Act, Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, and the Eminent Domain Act.
  • Effective date: provision in bill text indicates the changes are effective immediately.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities and park districts that control public parks with aquariums or museums.
  • Nonprofit organizations or societies that operate or seek to operate museum/aquarium facilities on public parkland.
  • Park visitors and Illinois taxpayers (through potential maintenance tax levies and user fees).
  • Adjacent landowners potentially affected by condemnation actions tied to facility projects.

Procedural status (selected actions)

  • Introduced in the Illinois House by Rep. Camille Y. Lilly on 2/6/2025.
  • Referred to Rules and later to Revenue & Finance and Tax Policy (Other Taxes) subcommittee; reported back with “Do Pass” recommendations.
  • Calendar placements and readings noted; bill text shows conforming amendments and cross‑statute updates.
  • Bill text includes an immediate‑effect clause.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expands local authority to fund and partner on cultural and educational facilities, potentially increasing local maintenance tax levies where authorized.
  • Clarifies leasing and governance options for public–private partnerships, enabling long term leases (up to 99 years).
  • Strengthens requirements to preserve public access (free days and educational access), balancing revenue generation with public benefit.
  • May raise local fiscal and land use issues (tax levies, fees, eminent domain) that municipal governments and community stakeholders will need to evaluate.

If you want, I can extract and present the exact amended statutory language for Sections 0.01, 1, and 2 (as shown in the bill), or produce a redline comparing current statute text to the proposed changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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