All books, records, equipment, and other property, whether real, personal or mixed, and all personnel held, maintained or employed by the Department of Transportation on December 31, 1973 in the performance of its functions directly related to the Illinois and Michigan Canal shall be transferred to the Department of Natural Resources (formerly designated the Department of Conservation) on January 1, 1974. The transfer of personnel does not affect the status of any such employee under the Personnel Code or the Illinois Pension Code.