Illinois Statutes Chapter 20. Executive Branch § 3988/5. Policy

(a) Illinois has a rich natural and cultural heritage. Whether historic sites, natural areas, rich farmland, or other prized resources, every county has treasures worth preserving for future generations.

(b) As counties and municipalities grow, they often do not have the opportunity to consider which resources are most important to them. Consequently, they may inadvertently imperil a historic structure, sever a potential natural corridor, or fragment farmland into small and unsustainable remnants.

(c) It is necessary and desirable to provide technical assistance and funding in the form of grants to encourage partnerships between counties and municipalities for the creation of an inventory of their natural areas, farmland, and cultural assets and to develop a Resource Protection Plan for protecting those areas.

(d) It is the purpose of this Act to promote voluntary county-municipal partnerships in every county by the year 2020 that will inventory resources, develop Resource Protection Plans, and implement their respective plans.