Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025. It designates about 750 acres of land in the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois as the Camp Hutchins Wilderness. The bill also establishes three Special Management Areas named Camp Hutchins, Ripple Hollow, and Burke Branch. It outlines specific rules for managing these areas, including limits on commercial timber harvesting, motor vehicles, mining, and trapping. Finally, the bill allows for activities like hunting, scientific research, and volunteer ecological restoration.
Yes
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill designates wilderness and special management areas to conserve and protect ecological, scenic, and wildlife resources.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill facilitates scientific research by allowing access to designated natural and research areas for qualified individuals and organizations.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill restricts the use of motor vehicles and commercial timber harvesting in the designated areas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Preservation and Recreation (Section 3 and Section 4): The bill designates the Camp Hutchins Wilderness and three Special Management Areas to conserve resources and allow for public use and enjoyment, which benefits individuals who value outdoor recreation and nature protection. Section 3(c) also closes Forest Road 211 to public vehicular traffic and maintains it as a hiking trail for people to enjoy on foot.
-
Hunting Opportunities (Section 5(c)(8)(A)): Hunting is explicitly permitted in the Special Management Areas, provided it follows the regulations of the State of Illinois and the Forest Service, which benefits individuals who enjoy hunting.
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Public Involvement and Transparency (Section 5(f)): The Secretary is required to make information publicly available on the Shawnee National Forest website annually, describing the progress in achieving management objectives, which holds officials accountable and keeps the public informed.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Trapping (Section 5(c)(8)(B)): Trapping is prohibited in the Special Management Areas, which places a burden or restriction on individuals who rely on or participate in trapping activities.
-
Limits on Motor Vehicles (Section 3(c), Section 5(c)(4), and Section 5(c)(8)(C)): The bill closes a road to public vehicular traffic and prohibits motor vehicle use, including over-snow vehicles, in the Special Management Areas (including hunters using motor vehicles), which could negatively impact individuals who rely on motorized transport to access certain parts of the forest.
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Mining and Leasing Restrictions (Section 3(d) and Section 5(d)): Federal land within both the wilderness and the Special Management Areas is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land laws, mining laws, and mineral and geothermal leasing laws, which could negatively impact individuals or industries seeking to develop those resources.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill designates wilderness and special management areas to conserve and protect ecological, scenic, and wildlife resources.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill facilitates scientific research by allowing access to designated natural and research areas for qualified individuals and organizations.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill restricts the use of motor vehicles and commercial timber harvesting in the designated areas.
- 10/27/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S4907)
- Introduced in Senate
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois