Program Descriptions

The Illinois Habitat Fund is one of three programs funded through the purchase of a State Habitat Stamp. The Habitat Endowment Act, enacted in 1992, provides long-term funding for the State Pheasant Fund, State Furbearer Fund and the Illinois Habitat Fund. The State Habitat Stamp replaced the existing Pheasant and Furbearer stamps, expanding opportunities for enhancement to all types of habitat. For the Illinois Habitat Fund Grant Program, eligible projects are limited to those seeking to preserve, protect, acquire or manage habitat (all wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands, natural or altered) in Illinois that have the potential to support populations of wildlife in any or all phases of their life cycles. Eligible recipients are limited to any appropriate not-for-profit organization or government agency that has the expertise, equipment, adequate staff/workforce and permission from the landowner (if applicable) to develop and/or manage habitat.

The State Pheasant Fund Grant Program is dedicated to the conservation of wild pheasants. Eligible projects may include land acquisition, pheasant habitat improvement on public or private land, pheasant research, or education of the public regarding pheasants and pheasant hunting. Eligible recipients are limited to appropriate not-for-profit organizations.

The State Furbearer Fund Grant Program is dedicated to the conservation of fur-bearing mammals. Eligible projects are limited to those that educate hunters and trappers of fur-bearing mammals within the State and the general public concerning the role that hunting and trapping has upon fur-bearing mammal management; the laws associated with the harvesting of fur-bearing mammals; the techniques used in the hunting and trapping of fur-bearing mammals; the conservation, management, and ecology of fur-bearing mammals; and the promotion of products made from wild fur-bearing mammals. Eligible recipients are limited to appropriate not-for-profit organization, governmental entities, educational institutions, or corporations.

The Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Fund Grant Program is dedicated to the conservation of waterfowl that pass through Illinois during their migrations. Eligible projects are limited to development of waterfowl propagation areas within the Dominion of Canada or the United States that specifically provide waterfowl for the Mississippi Flyway, and projects to implement the North American Waterfowl Management Plan for the development of waterfowl areas within the Dominion of Canada or the United States that specifically provide waterfowl for the Mississippi Flyway. Eligible recipients are limited to appropriate not-for-profit organizations.

The Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Program is designed to preserve, protect, perpetuate and enhance non-game wildlife and native plant resources of Illinois through preservation of a satisfactory environment and an ecological balance.   The Illinois General Assembly declared that "non-game wildlife have need of special protection and that it is in the public interest to preserve, protect, perpetuate and enhance non-game wildlife and native plant resources of this State through preservation of a satisfactory environment and an ecological balance." The Act provides a means by which such protection may be financed through a voluntary check-off designation on State income tax return forms. Each individual taxpayer required to file a State income tax return may contribute to the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund by stating the amount of such contribution (not less than $1) on the tax return, via the Schedule G Charitable Donations.  All donations received must be used to assist the preservation of non-game wildlife and native plants in Illinois.  The amount of the charitable donation will be deducted from the tax refund (if the taxpayer is due a refund) or will be added to the amount of tax owed.

This project funding is reimbursement funding, and payment of funding awards are made at project completion when all reports and required materials are submitted to the Department for review.  Any individual, entity or group in Illinois is eligible to apply for funding for their project.

There are three categories of funding: Large Project Proposals, Small Project Grants, Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities Grants (for permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators). Read more about this funding at the  Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund.