Bill Text: IL HR0869 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Encourages the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Transportation to work together to create a program where Illinois Correctional Facility inmates can raise wildflowers and plant them in designated roadway medians as determined by the Illinois Department of Transportation and encourages cooperation between the two agencies to work toward the goal of annual growth in the number of median strip low-height wildflower plantings.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2014-12-03 - Session Sine Die [HR0869 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-HR0869-Introduced.html

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HR0869 LRB098 20395 GRL 56036 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, According to numerous scientific reports,
including federal government reports by the United States
Department of Agriculture and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency, there has been a decline in honeybee
colonies throughout the United States due to numerous factors,
including lack of food sources; and
WHEREAS, Honeybees pollinate a long list of crops,
including Illinois' number one crop in 2013, soybeans; and
WHEREAS, The effects of colony collapse disorder has been
profound on the honeybee population in the United States;
according to the United States Department of Agriculture's
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, one-third of the
nation's bees die each year; and
WHEREAS, Large geographic areas that specialize in one
agricultural crop, like corn, can pose a risk to the insects by
providing a limited food source; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated the Illinois Department of
Transportation spent over $14 million in Fiscal Year 2013 on
the mowing of State highway medians in a time when our State's
revenues have declined; and

HR0869 - 2 - LRB098 20395 GRL 56036 r
WHEREAS, In 2003, the Illinois Department of
Transportation piloted a beautification effort planting
wildflowers along roadways in 23 Illinois locations for the
beautification of our State's commerce and tourism gateways;
and
WHEREAS, Low height wildflowers planted in median strips in
Illinois would assist with water retention, minimize storm
water runoff costs, and help beautify Illinois roadways;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we encourage the Illinois Department of Corrections and the
Illinois Department of Transportation to work together to
create a program where Illinois Correctional Facility inmates
can raise wildflowers and plant them in designated roadway
medians as determined by the Illinois Department of
Transportation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage cooperation between the two
agencies to work toward the goal of annual growth in the number
of median strip low-height wildflower plantings in an effort
that would save the State money in mowing costs, encourage
better storm water management practices along interstates,

HR0869 - 3 - LRB098 20395 GRL 56036 r
encourage natural growth in honeybee populations, provide
agronomic job skills for Illinois inmate population, and
beautify our State's interstate system; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge Illinois Department of Corrections
and the Illinois Department of Transportation to work together
toward furthering a new pilot program to accomplish these
tasks; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of
Corrections and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of
Transportation.