ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Under a law championed by State Senator Mark Walker, landowners will soon be able to grant conservation rights to Native American tribes to preserve cultural heritage sites.

“Protecting cultural heritage sites is inseparable from returning land to Native nations, as these places hold stories, traditions and history that only Indigenous communities can safeguard,” said Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “When tribes manage their own sacred sites, we honor their sovereignty and ensure that irreplaceable cultural legacies are preserved with the respect they deserve.”

House Bill 1605 encourages the preservation of cultural heritage sites. It allows property owners to convey, transfer or assign a conservation right to a federally recognized Native American tribe. This will allow tribal nations to preserve their own cultural heritage sites, and have access for cultural, ceremonial, traditional and educational purposes.

This new law is part of an ongoing effort to return remains and land to Native American tribes, which Walker has been championing for years. In 2023, Walker led House Bill 3413, which streamlined efforts to return known or newly discovered Native American remains and cultural artifacts to their nation of origin. Under House Bill 3413, all Native American human remains, unregistered graves, grave markers, and grave artifacts are the property of the Native American nations geographically and culturally affiliated with Illinois.

Earlier this year, Walker led Senate Bill 867, authorizing the state to transfer approximately 1,500 acres of land within Shabbona Lake State Park in DeKalb County to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

“When we return land to tribal nations, we invest in caretakers who understand the rhythms, challenges and sacred responsibilities of these places,” Walker said. “Their leadership ensures that future generations inherit lands that are healthier and more resilient.”

House Bill 1605 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.