207th Meeting - Minutes

August 22, 2025 - 10:00 a.m.
Director’s Boardroom
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62701
and remotely via WebEx

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Angelo Capparella, Ms. Samantha Chavez, Dr. Janice Coons, Dr. Michael Dreslik, Dr. Jeremie Fant, Mr. Nathan Grider, Dr. Joyce Hofmann, Mr. Randy Schietzelt, Dr. Tih-Fen Ting, and Dr. Philip Willink.

OTHERS PRESENT:  Heather Osborn (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage ITA Coordinator), Brian Metzke (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage, Aquatic Ecologist), Natalia Maass (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage Database Program), Valerie Njapa (INPC), Trent Thomas (IDNR Fisheries), Alysha Davis (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage intern), Leon Hinz (IDNR), Ann Holtrop (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage), Michelle Bloomquist (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage), Joe Kath (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage), Nick Foster (INPC), Brooke Thurau (INPC), Kristen Ragusa (IDNR private lands, CREP), Zainab Syed (Indiana University), Esther Chavira-Meza (IDNR Coastal Management), and Charles O’Leary (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage).

1. Call to Order, Roll Call of Board Members, and Introduction of Guests

Chair Hofmann called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. and conducted the roll call. Nine voting Board members were in attendance, constituting a quorum. Dr. Hofmann welcomed the visitors and asked them to introduce themselves.

2. Adoption of Agenda

Dr. Coons moved that the agenda be adopted with one correction (item #16 Other Business should be item #15, shifting the previous item #15 Public Comment Period to item #16) that was made prior to the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schietzelt. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Approval of Minutes from the 206^th Meeting on May 23, 2025

Draft minutes of the 206^th meeting had been distributed to Board members prior to the meeting by email. Dr. Fant moved that the minutes of the 206^th meeting be approved as presented. Dr. Capparella seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The minutes will be posted on the website.

4. Report from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

The Department’s report was distributed to the Board via email prior to the meeting. Ms. Holtrop highlighted that the Illinois State Fair just ended. This is a tremendous amount work for IDNR staff, many of whom were in the Conservation World section. An overall theme was the celebration of 100 years. Ms. Holtrop brought in several posters that had been on display that were applicable to endangered and threatened species. Topics included the creation of the Endangered Species Act, the new Illinois list, mussels, bald eagles, and invasive species. They handed out ‘Step Into The Wild’ buttons featuring the purplish copper butterfly. There was also an opportunity to get bird art tattoos. Overall, IDNR is working to modernize its message.

IDNR is still in the process of filling Jenny Skufca’s position.

The revised Illinois list of endangered and threatened species was published in the Illinois Register on August 1 (First Notice). We are currently in the Ex Parte Communication period.

The Exotic Weed Act is off first notice, and will be on second notice soon.

A while ago, Illinois Department of Transportation rescinded an Incidental Take Authorization. More recently, they are not pursuing other Incidental Take Authorizations. Conversations are starting between organizations.

IDNR thanks Dr. Hofmann for all her efforts as Chair of the Endangered Species Protection Board over the past 10 years!

Dr. Hofmann asked if there were any responses to the Administrative Rules regarding the revised list of endangered and threatened species. Ms. Holtrop responded that they will receive comments after closing of first notice.

Ms. Chavez wondered if the Illinois Department of Transportation was not pursuing any Incidental Take Authorizations at all. Ms. Holtrop replied that they were not pursuing most of the recent recommendations.

Dr. Coons noticed that on Page 1, Bullet #5 of the IDNR report, there is mention of the endangered tube beard tongue, but on Page 8, Bullet #6, it says “Initiated the removal of invasive tube beard tongue..” She wondered why the species is endangered on one page, but invasive on another. Ms. Holtrop answered that it was an editing mistake, and the Page 8 reference should have been something like ‘improving habitat around the area.’

5. Report from the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC)

An INPC report was distributed to the Board prior to the meeting via email. Ms. Njapa highlighted that this report was shorter than usual because INPC meets three times a year, and with this being an in-between-time, will not have another full report until after their next meeting.

INPC is happy to announce the hiring of two new staff: Brooke Thurau as a Natural Resources Advanced Specialist and Nick Foster also as a Natural Resources Advanced Specialist.

The filling of the Executive Director position is still in progress.

At the last INPC meeting, legal protection was completed by the Commission for seven tracts of land totaling 1,207 acres. Three tracts were protected as land and water reserves. Four tracts were dedicated as nature preserves.

An incident occurred at BP’s Xylene pipeline that was mowed at the wrong time, resulting in negative impacts. IDNR law enforcement is assisting with this case. A similar incident occurred within the gas pipeline ROW at Hitts Siding Prairie Nature Preserve that was also mowed at the wrong time, resulting in negative impacts. There was a similar incident in the spring.

IDNR and INPC received a report on the endangered large-flowered beard tongue in a nature preserve in Lake County.

Ms. Chavez asked what the next steps would be with the mowing incidents. Ms. Njapa replied that with the BP incident, conservation officers are assisting. Kim Roman has some ideas about what to do. INPC has had conversations with BP in the past. Maybe BP could hand over control to Natural Resource professionals, with BP paying the cost. There have been no decisions on how to proceed with the Hitts Siding Prairie incident. Perhaps the site needs markers and gates, or perhaps some other measures.

6. Report from the Chair of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board (Board)

Chair Hofmann provided a written report on her activities since the last meeting; the report is attached to these minutes. She performed the usual administrative tasks of dealing with email, reviewing draft minutes from the previous meeting, distributing draft ITAs and Conservation Plans to Board members, and distributing materials for the current meeting.

She continues to work on the minutes for the Aquatic Invertebrate Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee meeting.

Chair Hofmann will attend the September 9 meeting of the INPC. This will give her a chance to say farewell to the group.

She was unable to access the Board’s email for a couple weeks, but the issue was resolved. She did subsequently read an email about an injured swan. There is not much the Board can do in situations like this, except forward the message, but it is not always clear to whom to forward the message. Mr. Grider commented that Conservation Police Officers can be a good contact, as they are available 24/7. Another possibility would be District Biologists. There are additional contact numbers on the IDNR website. Ms. Holtrop continued by saying that usually a person sends the same email to several addresses, hoping that at least one of them will reach the correct person. Ms. Njapa added that it is important to keep in mind working versus non-working hours for people, especially in emergency situations.

Chair Hofmann will not be present at the November meeting.

Finally, Dr. Hofmann will be stepping down as Chair of the Board after 10 years of service. There were a lot of changes over that time, including the loss of the Board’s budget and staff. She was thankful for all the help and support she received over the years from IDNR. She thanked the Board and all its members for their dedication. Although she is stepping down from being Chair, she will continue serving on the Board. Chair Hofmann says that she wants to be “more retired!”

7. Semi-annual Review of Whether to Keep Closed the Minutes from Previous Closed Sessions

Chair Hofmann pointed out that there have been no closed sessions since the Board voted on this issue at the 205^th meeting. Mr. Schietzelt moved to keep the minutes of previously closed sessions closed and the motion was seconded by Dr. Dreslik. The motion passed unanimously.

8. Approval to Post Minutes of the Avian Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee (ESTAC) Meetings

Chair Hofmann pointed out that there were two Avian ESTAC meetings, one in 2023 and another in 2024. Dr. Coons noticed that the name Bolinger should be spelled Bollinger.

Ms. Chavez motioned that the minutes from the Avian Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee meetings with the above correction be posted online. Dr. Coons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Hofmann realized that the second meeting needed to be added to the Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee (ESTAC) table found online. Ms. Bloomquist will help with this.

9. Committee of the Whole Meeting to Propose Nominations for Board Executive Officers

Chair Hofmann commented that this procedure of seeking nominations at this point of the meeting, then holding the actual vote later in the meeting, is used by the INPC.

Dr. Coons lead this portion of the meeting. After a short discussion, Dr. Willink was interested in serving as Chair, Dr. Ting was interested in serving as Vice-Chair, and Ms. Chavez was interested in serving as Secretary.

Mr. Schietzelt pointed out that it could be beneficial if future meeting minutes were shorter, instead focusing on recording key points, like important discussion topics, the outcome of votes, etc.

10. Update on the Revision of the Board’s Petitions for Changes to the Illinois List of

Endangered and Threatened Species

Dr. Dreslik, Dr. Ting, Ms. Bloomquist, and Mr. Metzke met to discuss this topic. Dr. Dreslik started by saying they mapped the similarities and differences between the Board’s petition forms and IDNR Species Status Assessments (SSA). There is a close fit between them. A draft document with this mapping outlined was emailed to the Board prior to the meeting. Data rigor was arguably the most important outstanding item, with SSAs handling this better than the Board’s petitions. How to handle Element of Occurrence (EO) records was also discussed, as well as the pros and cons of emailing submissions versus an online portal. The Board currently uses three different petition forms, but perhaps this could be simplified to one form with a check box to indicate the intent of the petitioner. Furthermore, it is not unusual for a petitioner to not finish a petition for a number of reasons. It would be useful to capture the information that was compiled, even if incomplete, since the species would be of interest as a probable Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Dr. Ting continued by reinforcing that the Board’s petitions do mirror the SSA. She further explained that the Board’s petitions need to show survey effort, abundance estimates, etc. In other words, the data need to be more rigorous. She also mentioned that having three petition forms makes it easier for petitioners to submit the paperwork, as there is less confusion about what information is needed or not needed.

Dr. Hofmann clarified that depending upon the form, different forms request different data. She also mentioned that it would be helpful if the SSA guidelines be sent to Board.

Dr. Dreslik suggested that as well as including listing criteria (which are already in the petitions), the petitions should include review triggers that would open discussion as to whether a species should be delisted or shifted from endangered to threatened.

Chair Hofmann asked what the plan was for moving forward on this topic. Dr. Dreslik answered that he would redo the draft of the mapping document, with ways to improve data rigor.

Mr. Schietzelt added that he recently submitted EO records to the state for rusty patched bumble bee. Later, he was contacted by a federal employee asking why he did not submit a federal form. Apparently the federal form asks for more details than the Illinois state form. Dr. Coons wondered how federal officials became aware of these records. Ms. Holtrop indicated that state and federal agencies exchange data.

This topic of petitions and SSAs will be discussed again in November.

11. Group Discussion – Public Engagement in Illinois’ Listing Process

Dr. Hofmann opened the discussion by asking ‘who is the public?’

Ms. Holtrop suggested that the public is everyone from citizens in general to department employees. She also observed that during the last public comment period, the public did not have easy access to all the data.

Dr. Hofmann clarified that anyone can fill out a petition.

Dr. Coons asked how a typical citizen would get EO data. Ms. Maass replied that location data had been redacted for ESTACs. Otherwise, a person can enter a Data Use Agreement to gain access to EOs.

Dr. Coons continued by saying that non-ESTAC individuals attended ESTAC meetings. Ms. Chavez added that the plant ESTAC meetings were much more open than the others she had attended, and wondered how various partner groups were invited to attend. Mr. Grider extended the discussion by asking how members of the general public know about pertinent meetings.

Chair Hofmann clarified that the Board takes a preliminary vote on any given petition, and then a final vote. Thus there is time for comments and re-evaluations. Ms. Holtrop added that there are usually not many comments during public postings because there are multiple previous opportunities for comment. Ms. Holtrop then asked if there was a better way to review petitions between the ESTAC meeting and the Board meeting. This would be a good time to provide feedback before the Board takes any votes.

Dr. Dreslik said that in the past there were multiple ESTAC meetings for each taxonomic group, and that petitions could be reviewed during that process.

Dr. Fant would like to receive public comments at any time, not just related to specific meetings. For example, perhaps there could be an online option for submitting comments.

Dr. Dreslik expanded on his previous comment, saying that ESTACs used to meet about once a year, during which time they would regularly review research proposals, conservation plans, incidental take authorizations, etc.

Dr. Coons mentioned that the Board used to use ESTACs, then stopped using them for a while. Dr. Hofmann said that was because of uncertainties surrounding the Open Meetings Act.

This discussion flowed into the next agenda item.

12. Group Discussion – Technical Engagement in Illinois’ Listing Process

This discussion followed seamlessly from the previous agenda item.

Dr. Hofmann observed that it seems like ESTAC members serve a five-year term. She asked if it might be better to have indefinite terms.

Dr. Ting suggested that it would be helpful to post a flow chart of the listing process, highlighting where public comments could be made. Also, ESTAC members currently are not listed on the Board’s website. She wondered if it would it be worthwhile to do so. She also commented that guidelines for ESTACs would be useful.

Ms. Holtrop added that there have been “taxa discussions” over the years. These discussions did not necessarily address listing versus not listing taxa. Furthermore, these meetings cast a wide net when determining attendance.

13. Presentation – State Endangered Species Acts: Comparing Legislative Detail and

Effectiveness – Ms. Zainab Syed, Indiana University

Ms. Syed’s goal for the presentation was to review endangered species efforts in Illinois, and to see how Illinois compares to other states. This review is partially in response to events in Washington D.C., such as various Executive Orders, firings, and budget cuts.

Ms. Syed started by reviewing various shortcomings of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act, which included definitions of terms, wavering scientific standards, unclear role for the Endangered Species Protection Board, lack of citizen incentives, loose plant protections, and a lack of critical habitat protection.

Even though this review sounded negative, Ms. Syed pointed out that Illinois was one of the first states to have an Endangered Species Act, there were six pieces of endangered species legislation since 2020, and that Illinois is in the top 10 of states with the most protection for listed species.

Ms. Syed presented a series of maps showcasing the grade each state received for a given category (i.e., each map covered a single category). [Grades and maps from publication “Kurose, S., B. Hartl, and N. Greenwald. 2019. Unready and ill-equipped: how state laws and state funding are inadequate to recover America’s endangered species. Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund.]

Illinois ranked as follows:

coverage – A
protection – B
science-based decision making – C
citizen involvement – C
protection of critical habitat – B+
state funding – F

Ms. Sayed proposed the following changes to the Endangered Species Protection Act: redefine terms, include scientific standards, empower the Endangered Species Protection Board, encourage citizen efforts, increase plant protections, and protect endangered and threatened habitats.

14. Election of Board Executive Officers

Dr. Coons motioned that Dr. Willink serve as Chair, Dr. Ting as Vice-Chair, and Ms. Chavez as Secretary for the next three-year term. Dr. Capparella seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

15. Other Business

Chair Hofmann reminded Board members to submit their time and travel forms to Nicole Sandidge. Also, members should bring calendars to the November meeting as we will be setting the 2026 meeting schedule.

16. Public Comment Period

There were no public comments.

17. Next meeting information (November 14, 2025 at 10 A.M.)

The next meeting will be November 14, 2025 at 10 A.M. Presumably it will be at IDNR in Springfield, IL. Dr. Hofmann will not be at the meeting.

18. Adjournment

Chair Hofmann adjourned the meeting at 12:19 P.M.

Activities for the period between the 206^th and 207^th Board meetings

• performed follow-up for 206^th meeting – arranged for the final agenda of the 206^th meeting and approved minutes of the 205^th Board meeting to be posted on the website
• monitored the Board’s email account – responded to some messages, forwarded others to appropriate personnel at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
• reviewed the draft minutes of the Board’s 206^th meeting
• reviewed minutes of the Amphibian/Reptile and Avian Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee (ESTAC) meetings
• worked on minutes of the Aquatic Invertebrate ESTAC meeting
• distributed five draft Incidental Take Authorizations and five Conservation Plans to Board members for potential review
• prepared for the 207^th Board meeting – prepared the notice for the 207^th meeting, developed a draft agenda for the 207^th meeting, arranged to have the notice and draft agenda posted on the Board’s website and at the IDNR building, and distributed materials for the 207^th meeting to Board members