Bill > SB2688

This bill requires the Illinois Department of Agriculture to establish an online portal on its website to provide comprehensive support and resources for agricultural stakeholders, including rural communities, farmers, and agribusinesses. The portal will offer a centralized platform with links to various federal and state agencies like the USDA, EPA, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, designed to help users navigate agricultural regulations, access funding opportunities, and avoid potential enforcement issues. The portal will include features such as regulatory checklists, searchable grant databases, and tools to connect users with technical assistance and expert resources like the University of Illinois Extension Office. Additionally, the bill mandates that in years when the National Agricultural Statistics Service publishes its Census of Agriculture, the Department must conduct an inventory of lost farmland in Illinois, identifying the primary causes of farmland reduction, and submit a detailed report to the General Assembly by December 31st, which must also be uploaded to the Department's website within 30 days of filing.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=2688&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104