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HB 3939

Relating to infrastructure projects; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Diehl and 8 co-sponsors

HB 3939 funds Illinois DNR for FY 2025, totaling about $641.8M from General, state, and federal sources to run operations, parks, conservation projects, and disaster response.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3939

HB 3939 — Summary (Introduced by Rep. Robyn Gabel)

Main purpose

HB 3939 is an appropriations bill that provides funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The measure allocates General Revenue, other state, and federal funds for DNR operations, capital and conservation projects, grants, historic sites, park maintenance and programs, and federal disaster responses. The bill’s title also indicates an emergency declaration (which, if enacted, would make the act effective immediately), though the printed content is focused on specific appropriations.

Overall funding (as introduced)

  • General Funds: $104,161,333
  • Other State Funds: $409,606,767
  • Federal Funds: $128,060,500
  • Total: $641,828,600

Key provisions and notable line items

  • General Office operations and revolving fund payments funded from the General Revenue Fund (examples: $6,350,000 for revolving fund payments; $12,460,000 for general office expenses).
  • Dedicated program and fund appropriations across numerous DNR accounts, including:
    • DNR Special Projects Fund: $2,412,200 for grant/agency/donation-funded special projects (maintenance, education, habitat protection, facility improvements).
    • Additional Special Projects Fund allocations: $50,000 for the H.O.P.E. Program; $1,000,000 for DNR research, protection, and education initiatives.
    • Office of Realty and Capital Planning: multiple appropriations across funds totaling $17,671,200 (includes State Boating Act, State Parks Fund, Wildlife & Fish Fund, OSLAD, Partners for Conservation, Historic Property Administrative Fund, federal projects, Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund, Park & Conservation Fund, and bikeways).
    • Illinois Historic Sites Fund: $1,189,200 for operational costs, repairs, preservation and events; $150,000 for preservation awards/grants.
    • Park and Conservation Fund: $640,000 for preservation services program costs.
    • Tourism Promotion Fund: $582,800 for preservation services and related expenses.
    • Office of Strategic Services: $1,111,000 from the General Revenue Fund for that office’s expenses.
    • Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Council Federal Trust Fund: $511,700 for abandoned mined lands program support.
    • Line-item appropriations for staffing, retirement and benefits, contractual services, equipment, dredging crews, emergency/federal disaster projects (FEMA), and EcoCAT implementation.

(Notes: The bill text as introduced includes many fund-specific line items; the above highlights representative and larger appropriations rather than an exhaustive list.)

Who would be affected

  • Department of Natural Resources (operations, staff, and programs)
  • State parks, historic sites, conservation lands and associated employees/contractors
  • Local partners and grant recipients (e.g., conservation partners, OSLAD recipients)
  • Recreation and tourism sectors benefiting from parks, bikeways, and historic sites
  • Projects funded by federal disaster response dollars and related contractors
  • Beneficiaries of the H.O.P.E. program and DNR research/education initiatives

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced / First reading: 02/25/2025 (filed with Clerk 02/21/2025; sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel)
  • Read first time / Referred to committees and rules in late Feb–Mar 2025
  • Public hearing: 04/07/2025; Work session: 04/09/2025
  • 04/15/2025: Committee recommendation — “Do pass with amendments,” printed A-Engrossed, referred to Ways and Means by prior reference
  • 06/28/2025: Listed as “In committee upon adjournment” (pending further action)

Additional notes

  • The bill appears to be a standard annual/seasonal appropriation vehicle for DNR; enactment would authorize spending across multiple dedicated state funds and federal accounts.
  • The title references an emergency declaration; if an emergency clause is included in the final enacted text, the appropriations would take effect immediately upon signature rather than on a later statutory date. The printed text provided focuses on itemized appropriations and is truncated in places.

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

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