# Illinois SB2401: WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT Illinois SB2401, WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by Laura Ellman (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-05-09 (Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB2401-2025-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Illinois SB2401 - State: Illinois - Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) - Title: WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT - Status: in committee - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-02-07 - Last action: 2025-05-09, Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments - Sponsor: Laura Ellman (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 20 - Subjects: assignments, judiciary - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 1 (6 yes, 3 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 0 ## Summary Creates the Wetlands Protection Act. Provides that no person may discharge dredged or fill material into a State jurisdictional wetland except with a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Exempts certain activities from the requirements of the Act. Sets forth procedures for individual permit applications and other related procedural requirements. Provides that the Department shall not issue an individual permit unless the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Department that there will not be a violation of State water quality standards. Provides that the Department may issue an after-the-fact permit in certain emergency circumstances. Sets forth financial assurance requirements. Authorizes the Department to adopt general permits under the Act. Provides that any person who intends to conduct a regulated activity may do so in accordance with a general permit issued by the Department, which pre-authorizes a category of activities with minimal adverse effects. Provides procedures and requirements regarding preconstruction notifications. Provides that certain entities may establish and operate a mitigation bank or in lieu fee program. Describes procedures and requirements for mitigation banks. Grants the Department rulemaking powers. Provides that the Department shall prepare certain reports and studies. Provides for the review of final decisions of the Department. Provides for investigations by the Department and enforcement by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General. Provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day of violation, with interest after judgment, and with certain costs, fees, and expenses, payable to the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that any person may file a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board concerning a violation of the Act, a rule adopted under the Act, a condition of a permit issued under the Act, or an order of the Pollution Control Board issued under the Act. Provides for county and special district stormwater program authorities to control or regulate activities in any wetlands within their jurisdiction. Establishes the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that a permit review fee for all permit applications is to be set by the Department by rule. Makes corresponding changes to the State Finance Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately. ## Bill overview No economic impacts identified for this bill. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Laura Ellman (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Adriane L. Johnson (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Celina Villanueva (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: David Koehler (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Graciela Guzmán (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Javier L. Cervantes (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Julie A. Morrison (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Karina Villa (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Lakesia Collins (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Laura Fine (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Laura M. Murphy (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Mark L. Walker (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Mary Edly-Allen (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Mike Porfirio (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Mike Simmons (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Napoleon Harris III (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Rachel Ventura (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Ram Villivalam (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Robert F. Martwick (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Robert Peters (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Sara Feigenholtz (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-03-19 | Senate | Do Pass Judiciary; | pass | 6 | 3 | | ## Actions (28) - 2025-05-09: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (Senate) - 2025-05-08: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris III (Senate) - 2025-05-08: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy (Senate) - 2025-04-11: Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025 (Senate) - 2025-04-04: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam (Senate) - 2025-04-02: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins (Senate) - 2025-03-27: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker (Senate) - 2025-03-25: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán (Senate) - 2025-03-19: Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025 (Senate) - 2025-03-19: Do Pass Judiciary; 006-003-000 (Senate) - 2025-03-19: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura (Senate) - 2025-03-13: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick (Senate) - 2025-03-12: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison (Senate) - 2025-03-07: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler (Senate) - 2025-03-05: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio (Senate) - 2025-03-05: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine (Senate) - 2025-03-04: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons (Senate) - 2025-03-04: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva (Senate) - 2025-03-04: Assigned to Judiciary (Senate) - 2025-02-27: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters (Senate) - 2025-02-27: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (Senate) - 2025-02-26: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa (Senate) - 2025-02-26: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (Senate) - 2025-02-24: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson (Senate) - 2025-02-24: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Referred to Assignments (Senate) - 2025-02-07: First Reading (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Filed with Secretary by Sen. Laura Ellman (Senate) ## Bill text - Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB2401.pdf) ## Related bills - HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house) - SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate) - HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee) - HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee) - SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate) - SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed) ## Sources - [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB2401.pdf) ## Related - [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026) - [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026) - [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026) - [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026) - [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026) - [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026) - [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills) - [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB2401-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).