Illinois Legislators Defer Wetlands Protection

In last-minute moves during the fall veto session, the Illinois General Assembly deferred action on a bill that would have provided protection to the state's wetlands (HB 422) and at least one hostile counter-proposal has since been introduced. Look for this to heat up in January.

But lawmakers did override the governor's veto on two bills that will provide bonding authority for a number of park districts and up to $100 million for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Brookfield Zoo. This new bonding authority will permit these organizations to make needed repairs and restore habitat, and will provide funded for necessary infrastructure repairs.