IL SB2455

Expands eligibility for Urban and Community Forestry Assistance grants to allow Illinois not-for-profit corporations to apply independently, not just as co-applicants with local governments

Adds new definitions including "public trees," "public tree inventory" (assessment of government-owned trees with management recommendations), and "underserved or disadvantaged" communities as determined by USDA Forest Service criteria

Requires Urban and Community Forestry Management Plans to be based on public tree inventories less than 10 years old and must contain minimum information prescribed by Department rules

Revises grant evaluation criteria to prioritize Illinois Forest Action Plan objectives, tree canopy capacity in underserved/disadvantaged areas, reducing urban heat island effects, and improving human health and environmental access

Officially designates Lowden-Miller State Forest (Ogle County) and Spoon River State Forest (Knox County) as State forests, adding them to the existing list in the State Forest Act