Hamos Passes Environmental Protection Legislation
Plan to Restore Open Space Acquisition Funding Passes Both Houses

Special to juliehamos.org
December 11, 2002


Legislation that passed Thursday will restore cuts that were made to programs that fund acquisition of open space and ensure that two successful environmental programs continue. The legislation, Senate Bill 1809, passed both chambers by overwhelming margins and is headed to the desk of Governor Ryan for signature.

"Without this legislation, local park districts and municipalities would not have access to much-needed state funds to restore existing parks or buy land for open space purposes, " said Rep. Hamos, chief sponsor of the legislation. "This legislation demonstrates Illinois’ commitment to open space to enhance the quality of life for our residents."

Funding levels for the two programs, the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) fund and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF), were cut last spring as part of the State’s solution to its worsening budget crisis. Together, funding for open space and land acquisition was reduced by $15 million. While SB1809 does not replace any funding for this current fiscal year, it does reinstate the percentages designated for the two funds from the state real estate transfer tax beginning next July.

OSLAD and NAAF are considered the building blocks of nearly all effective land preservation efforts in the state over the past decade. Municipalities and counties have received over $167 million from OSLAD, while NAAF has enabled the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to acquire 17,550 acres of high quality lands.

Locally, the suburban communities that are part of the 18th legislative district have all used OSLAD funds to restore parks along the North Shore Channel and the lakefront, as well as bicycle paths along the Green Bay Trail.

In 1990, the General Assembly set aside a portion of the state real estate transfer tax to fund both of the programs, and had SB1809 not passed, the funding cuts would have become permanent. The legislation was supported by many environmental organizations, such as Illinois Environmental Council, Openlands Project, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Land.

Anyone wanting more information can either email Rep. Hamos at Julie@juliehamos.org or contact the district office at 847-424-9898