HB3217 - Vinyard Indian Settlement of Shawnee Indians Recognition Act of 2015

• Recognizes the Vinyard Indian Settlement of Shawnee Indians as a state-recognized tribe of Indians, specifically descendants of Chief Sedowii's Band of the Kispokofa Shawnee Indians who remained in southern Illinois.

• Designates a service area comprising Hardin, Pope, Saline, Gallatin, and White counties in Illinois for delivery of state and federal services and benefits to tribe members.

• Makes the tribe and its members eligible for services and benefits provided by the federal government and state agencies to state-recognized tribes, regardless of reservation status or member residence location.

• Requires the tribe to maintain a membership roll according to Article 11 of its bylaws dated January 24, 2001, or amendments thereto.

• Specifies that recognition does not create land ownership rights, confer criminal or civil jurisdiction, grant special gaming rights under federal law, or create private causes of action under state law.