Illinois Statutes Chapter 615. Waterways § 45/14. Construction of Act; powers and jurisdiction of Department

§ 14. (a) The provisions of this Act shall supplement and not supersede any prior Acts of the General Assembly unless expressly provided otherwise in this Act.

(b) The powers, duties and responsibilities conferred by this Act, expressly or by implication, shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any existing authority conferred by other Acts of the General Assembly or the laws of Illinois.

(c) The abandonment of the Canal as declared in this Act shall not remove the lands referred to in this Act from the jurisdiction, control and powers transferred to and conferred upon the Department of Natural Resources over waterways and public waters of the State and such lands and waters and other property as are subject to this Act shall remain subject to the powers, duties and responsibilities of that Department, undiminished by the declaration of abandonment contained in this Act, until the lands or property are disposed of by the Department.

(d) This Act shall be liberally construed to the end that the lands, waters and property of the Illinois and Michigan Canal shall be used and developed, leased, sold or disposed of for the fullest benefit of the People of Illinois.