Chicago Park District Authorized to Create Public Gardens
Summary
Illinois Governor signed HB5515 into law, amending the Chicago Park District Act to authorize the Chicago Park District, in collaboration with botanic gardens under the Forest Preserve Botanic Gardens Act, to establish, maintain, and manage small public gardens throughout Chicago. Each public garden must include a native landscape aimed at protecting migratory butterfly populations. The bill defines 'Illinois native plants' and 'native landscape'.
What changed
HB5515 amends the Chicago Park District Act to grant the Chicago Park District new authority to establish, maintain, and manage small public gardens in collaboration with botanic gardens authorized under the Forest Preserve Botanic Gardens Act. The legislation mandates that each garden include a native landscape specifically aimed at protecting butterfly populations migrating through Chicago. The bill provides statutory definitions for 'Illinois native plants' and 'native landscape'. The bill passed the House with a vote of 098-000-000.
Affected parties include the Chicago Park District, which gains new authority to create public gardens, and municipal residents who may benefit from increased green spaces focused on native plant preservation. The legislation does not impose compliance obligations or penalties on private entities. The Forest Preserve Botanic Gardens will collaborate with the Park District on garden implementation.
What to do next
- Monitor for implementing regulations from the Chicago Park District
Archived snapshot
Apr 11, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Illinois / HB5515 Signed by Governor HB5515 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-09
CHI PARK DIST-PUBLIC GARDEN
Amends the Chicago Park District Act. Authorizes the Chicago Park District, in collaboration with the botanic gardens authorized under the Forest Preserve Botanic Gardens Act, to establish, maintain, and manage small public gardens throughout the City of Chicago. Provides that each public garden shall include a native landscape aimed at protecting butterfly populations that migrate through the City of Chicago. Defines "Illinois native plants" and "native landscape".
Bill Details
State Illinois
Session 104th General Assembly
Chamber House
Committee Assignments
Official Source www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Yolanda Morris (Rep - D) Elizabeth Hernandez (Rep - D) Michael Crawford (Rep - D) Lisa Davis (Rep - D) Sharon Chung (Rep - D) Adriane Johnson (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-10 S Referred to Assignments 2026-04-10 S First Reading 2026-04-10 S Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson 2026-04-10 S Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading 2026-04-10 S Arrive in Senate 2026-04-09 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung 2026-04-09 H Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 098-000-000 2026-04-08 H Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 2026-04-08 H Second Reading - Short Debate 2026-03-27 H Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 2026-03-26 H Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; 009-000-000 2026-03-25 H Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez 2026-03-25 H Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 075-037-000 2026-03-25 H Motion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 State Government Administration Committee; Rep. Robyn Gabel 2026-03-25 H Assigned to State Government Administration Committee 2026-02-24 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis 2026-02-24 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford 2026-02-13 H Referred to Rules Committee 2026-02-13 H First Reading 2026-02-06 H Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Yolonda Morris
Committee Referrals
2026-02-13 H Rules 2026-03-25 H State Government Administration 2026-04-10 S Assignments
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-06 Introduced 2026-04-08 Engrossed Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
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