IL HB6216

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act to add Section 24.5 establishing procedures for emergency drought disaster areas in Illinois.

Defines "secretarial disaster area" as any county portion meeting severe drought intensity (D2) for 8 consecutive weeks, or extreme drought (D3) or higher at any time during growing season, as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Grants the Department of Natural Resources authority to regulate and permit all water use (surface and groundwater, including riparian rights) within secretarial disaster areas when the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary declares such an area.

Allows DNR to prioritize permitted water usage based on affected area needs, including public drinking water, in-stream flows, industrial uses, and navigation, and to access all public and private water in Illinois except federal reservoirs and Lake Michigan.

Exempts DNR from state procurement rules when implementing these provisions, requires public hearings within 30 days with notice in at least 2 newspapers, and prohibits home rule units from regulating water usage inconsistently with DNR regulations in disaster areas.