Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1983

Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1983 - Establishes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Establishes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission, which shall administer the corridor.

Requires the Commission to: (1) assist the State of Illinois and nonprofit organizations in preservation, treatment, and renovation of canal structures; (2) assist Illinois in establishing and maintaining intermittent recreational trails which are compatible with economic development interests in the corridor; (3) encourage owners of property in or adjacent to the corridor to retain a strip of natural vegetation between recreational trails and development in the corridor; (4) assist in the preservation and enhancement of Natural Areas Inventory prepared by the Illinois Department of Conservation; (5) enhance public awareness and appreciation of the historical, architectural, and engineering structures and the archaeological and geological resources and sites in the corridor; (6) assist in the restoration of historic buildings in the corridor which have economic development potential; (7) assist in the interpretation of the cultural and natural resources of the corridor; (8) assist in the promotion of the corridor resources; (9) encourage enhanced economic and industrial development in the corridor; and (10) ensure that access routes to the canal are identified and that corridor traffic is routed away from industrial access routes and sites. Authorizes the Commission to finance the installation of protective features in the corridor.

Requires the Commission to encourage Illinois to ensure that owners and users of property in or adjacent to the corridor will not be subject to excessive liability in connection with activities which affect persons and property in the corridor.

Requires the Commission to prepare an economic impact assessment with respect to any major action, including the expenditure of funds, involving capital improvements or the acquisition of real property.

Requires the Commission to report annually on its activities to the Governor of Illinois and to the Secretary of the Interior.

Sets forth restrictions on the development by the Commission of sites or structures in the corridor and trails along the canal or its towpath.

Terminates the Commission ten years after the enactment of this Act. Permits the Commission to extend its own life under certain conditions.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct specified inventories; (2) develop a thematic structure for interpretation of the heritage corridor story; (3) design and make interpretive materials; (4) provide feasibility studies for the rehabilitation of at least six historical structures in the corridor; (5) provide brochures on the tax advantages connected with such rehabilitation; and (6) detail to the Commission two Department of the Interior employees.

Directs Federal agencies whose activities affect the corridor to consult and cooperate with the Secretary and the Commission.

Requires the United States to release to Illinois all Federal interests in real property associated with the canal. Authorizes the release to Illinois of Federal interests in the canal prism and towpath within the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Park for park, recreational, or public purposes. Requires a reversion of such interests if such property is not used for such purposes.

Authorizes appropriations to the Commission and the Secretary.