Bill > SB1397

This bill establishes a comprehensive initiative to support and study the use of compost and digestate (organic materials produced through decomposition) in agricultural settings. The Environmental Protection Agency will provide grants to incentivize the use of finished compost, liquid digestate, and solid digestate on both public and private commercial farm lands. The grants will cover 100% of costs for government-owned lands and 90% of costs for private lands, with a maximum award of $50,000 per recipient per fiscal year. Additionally, the bill requires the Prairie Research Institute of the University of Illinois to conduct a three-year study (fiscal years 2026-2028) examining the impacts of these organic materials on farming, including their effects on soil composition, nutrient concentrations, crop health, drought resistance, and carbon sequestration. To fund this initiative, the bill directs the Comptroller and Treasurer to transfer specific amounts ($225,000 in 2026, $234,000 in 2027, and $243,360 in 2028) from the Solid Waste Management Fund to support the research and grant program. The final study report will be submitted to the General Assembly and Governor by December 1, 2028, providing insights into the potential agricultural and environmental benefits of using compost and digestate.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1397&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104