This page covers Illinois and Federal legislation and agencies, as well as international agreements and organizations that deal with endangered and threatened species.
Illinois Legislation
- Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act (520 ILCS 10/)Under Chapter 520, Wildlife, the act was passed in 1972 and establishes the Endangered Species Protection Board (9 persons appointed by the governor plus the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources) and charges the board with producing and maintaining the "Illinois List" of protected species. Note that the Illinois law predates the federal law.
- The Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act at 40Produced in 2012, this document presents a review of the history and performance of the Act’s provisions to comprehensively quantify accomplishments and challenges relative to how well the Board has met its mission over the course of four decades: to protect those species of plants and animals native to Illinois which are in danger of being lost from the wild in the state.
- Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board
The nine governor-appointed member board responsible for maintaining the list of Illinois threatened and endangered species. The Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (also an appointee of the Governor) serves as a 10th non-voting member. - Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board Agendas and MinutesAgendas and minutes of the ESPB meetings are available online from the 137th meeting (February 22, 2008).
- Biennial report of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection BoardThe Board is required by law to produce a biennial report of activities.
- Report Occurrence of a Threatened or Endangered SpeciesInstructions for reporting the occurrence of a listed species to the ISPB
Federal Legislation
- Endangered Species Act of 1973The Endangered Species Act was first passed as Public Law 93–205, Dec.28, 1973. It is found in the United States Code under Title 16: Conservation.
The states are a key component of the Federal strategy for the protection of endangered species. A section of the law outlines cooperation with states, including allocation of funds to states for the management of threatened and endangered species. - Endangered Species Act 50th AnniversaryHistorical information on the act is available from this site maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Federal Agencies involved with protection of listed species
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species
A lead agency in the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, the USFWS administers the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, permitting process, and maintains the federal list of threatened and endangered species. - U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service
Conducts research and provides information on fishery conservation and resource management. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA Endangered Species Protection Program was established in 1988 to meet obligations under the Endangered Species Act. A primary focus of the program is pesticide use. - Electronic Library of the Interior Policies: endangered species search
The U.S. Department of the Interior maintains a searchable library of policies, procedures and programs. This link retrieves entries relating to endangered species
International agreements and agencies
- IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
A membership union composed of government and civil society organizations addressing environmental issues, including endangered species. - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (United Nations Treaty)
The product of a UN treaty, CMS provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. CMS lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range, and produces many conservation-related reports and publications. - UNEP: World Conservation Monitoring Centre"The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre provides information for policy and action to conserve the living world." Their programs concentrate on species, forests, protected areas, marines, mountains, and freshwaters, among other subjects.