Agencies
Services
Boards and Commissions
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is advised by numerous appointed boards and commissions that were statutorily created by the Illinois General Assembly.
30 by 30 Conservation Task Force
The mission of the Illinois 30 by 30 Conservation Task Force is to advise on the establishment of a bold goal for protecting the natural lands and waters of Illinois, holding listening sessions across the state, and developing a report to the governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2022.
Those efforts gave way to the 30 by 30 America the Beautiful Coordinating Council, created by Illinois Senate Resolution 632. The council will develop strategies to implement conservation practices with participating landowners, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to maximize conservation value of available lands.
Endangered Species Protection Board
The mission of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board is to protect plants and animals native to Illinois that are in danger of being lost from the wild in this state. The nine-member board was created by the passage of the 1972 Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. By law, the members include at least six naturalists, including at least two zoologists, two ecologists, and one botanist.
Illinois Conservation Foundation
The Illinois Conservation Foundation preserves and enhances Illinois’ natural and cultural heritage by supporting the Illinois Department of Natural Resources through financial resources from donors and conservation partners. It is overseen by a 12-member board chaired by the director of IDNR.
Since 1995, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation has partnered with IDNR to raise financial resources dedicated to protecting and enhancing the state’s natural wonders. Together with donors and partners, the foundation provides conservation education and outdoor heritage opportunities for Illinoisans of all ages to help instill a lifelong interest in conservation, outdoor recreation, and sustainability.
Illinois Forestry Development Council
The 29-member Illinois Forestry Development Council studies and evaluates the forest resources and forest industries of Illinois, including the social, economic, scientific, and educational value of these resources and industries.
The council was created in 1983 upon passage of the Illinois Forestry Development Act (525 ILCS 15). Council members represent woodland owners, farmers, the forest and wood products industry, urban forestry, environmental concerns, state and federal agencies, the General Assembly, and the Governor’s Office.
Illinois Greenways and Trails Council
The Illinois Greenways and Trails Council was established by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 1995 in response to recommendations made by the state’s first two Conservation Congress assemblies. The current structure was established in 2018 by the Recreation Trails Act of Illinois.
The council comprises representatives of statewide greenways and trails constituent groups and user groups, statewide associations for agencies that provide greenways and trails, organizations with demonstrated expertise in greenway and trail planning, and metro-area greenway and trail coalitions.
Illinois Invasive Plant Species Council
The mission of the Illinois Invasive Species Council is to minimize the adverse economic and ecological effects that invasive species pose to the State of Illinois. The council seeks to provide information and advice on invasive species to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, non-governmental organizations, the business community, and the general public.
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission assists private and public landowners in protecting high-quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species through voluntary dedication or registration of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. The commission promotes the preservation of these significant lands and provides leadership in their stewardship, management, and protection.
The commission was established by the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1982.
Illinois Route 53 Land Expansion Alternative Use Task Force
The Illinois Route 53 Expansion Land Alternative Use Task Force was created in 2021 via House Joint Resolution 6 to study alternate uses for the proposed extension of Illinois Route 53 in Lake County.
Illinois State Museum Board
The Illinois State Museum Board of Directors comprises 11 appointed members who advise the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in all matters pertaining to maintenance, extension, and usefulness of the Illinois State Museum.
Board members also make recommendations concerning the appointment of museum directors whenever a vacancy occurs in that position and review the budget of the Illinois State Museum, making recommendations to the governor through the director of the department. Board members are appointed for two-year terms.
Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force
The 10-member Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force was established by state law in 2023 to develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in the state.
Miners Examining Board
The Miners Examining Board holds monthly examinations to determine competency and qualification of applicants for certification as miners in Illinois.
Natural Resources Advisory Board
The Natural Resources Advisory Board is statutorily created to advise the agency on long-range policies to assist in guiding the protection and conservation of renewable resources of the state.
State Historic Preservation Board
Established in 2024 by Public Act 103-0768, the nine-member State Historic Preservation Board will advise the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which is responsible for state historic sites, on the listing, delisting or other changes to historic site designations in Illinois.
The board will be responsible for considering budgetary impacts, inclusion of stories of historically excluded and marginalized people, geographic balance, disability access, opportunities for federal coordination, and other criteria.
State Mining Board
The State Mining Board consists of six members from the coal mining community and the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Mines and Minerals, who acts as the board’s executive officer. The board administers and interprets The Illinois Coal Mining Act and promulgates safety related rules and regulations for the Illinois coal industry.