Illinois § 2

§ 2.

Legislative declaration. The General Assembly hereby declares that wildlife species which are not commonly pursued, killed, or consumed either for sport or profit, referred to in this Act as "non-game wildlife" have need of special protection and that it is in the public interest to preserve, protect, perpetuate, and enhance non-game wildlife and native plant resources of this State through preservation of a satisfactory environment and an ecological balance. The General Assembly specifically recognizes that such non-game wildlife includes protected wildlife and wildlife of specialized habitats, both terrestrial and aquatic types, and mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources. This Act is enacted to provide a means by which such protection may be financed through a voluntary check-off designation on State income tax return forms. The intent of the General Assembly is that this program of the income tax check-off is supplemental to any funding and in no way is intended to take the place of the funding that would otherwise be appropriated for this purpose. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)