§7. Any species or subspecies of animal or plant designated as endangered or threatened by the Secretary of the Interior of the United States pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, P.L. 93-205, as amended, shall be automatically listed as an endangered or threatened species under this Act and thereby placed on the Illinois List by the Board without notice or public hearing. The Board may list, as endangered or threatened, species of animals or plants which have reproduced in or otherwise significantly used, as in migration or overwintering, the area which is now the State of Illinois, if there is scientific evidence that the species qualify as endangered or threatened as these terms are defined in this Act. The Board may delist any non-federally-listed species for which it finds satisfactory scientific evidence that its wild or natural populations are no longer endangered or threatened. Listing, delisting or change of listing status shall be made only after a public hearing.
Notice of such hearing shall be published at least 7 days before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the state and shall be mailed to any person who has, in writing requested such notice from the agency holding the hearing. All persons heard or represented at a hearing and all persons who requested from the responsible agency notice of such hearing, shall be given a written summary of any action taken by the Board or Department relative to the hearing subject.
Upon listing or delisting or change of listing status by the Board, the Director shall file a certified copy of the names of the species so listed, delisted or changed with the Secretary of State as provided in “The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act”, approved September 22, 1975, as amended.
Citation: 520 ILCS 10/7.
§ 6. There is created the Endangered Species Protection Board whose duties include listing, delisting, or change of listing status of species for the Illinois List, in consultation with and written approval by the Department, in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, on rules for listing species of animals or plants as endangered or threatened and delisting species of animals or plants as endangered or threatened, or changing their status.
The Board shall also advise the Department on methods of assistance, protection, conservation and management of endangered and threatened species and their habitats, and on related matters. The Board shall be composed of 9 persons appointed by the Governor, and the Director as a non-voting member. Of the 9 appointed members at least 6 shall be persons who are recognized as naturalists by training, avocation or vocation. At least two of these shall be zoologists, at least one a botanist, and at least two ecologists. In making Board appointments, the Governor shall give consideration to recommendations of conservation groups. Initially, 3 members shall be appointed for terms of 3 years, 3 for 2 years and 3 for 1 year. Thereafter, the terms of all appointive members shall be 3 years. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the position of an appointive member shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term. Board meetings shall be called at regular intervals set by the Board, on the request of the Department, or upon written notice signed by at least 5 members of the Board, but in no event less than once quarterly. The place of the meeting shall be determined at the convenience of the Board and the Department. A quorum shall consist of 5 appointed members. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Board may without regard to the Personnel Code, employ and fix the compensation of necessary staff. The Board shall select from its membership a chairman and such other officers as it considers necessary, and may name an Executive Committee to which it may grant specific powers. The Board shall review and revise the Illinois List as warranted but in no case less frequently than every 5 years. It shall prepare and make available a report of its accomplishments biennially.
Citation: 520 ILCS 10/6.