Bill > SB3972

This bill establishes the Hydroponic Initiative Grant Program, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), to increase access to healthy food in "food deserts" – areas with high poverty and limited access to grocery stores – and to revitalize commercial areas with significant vacant developed commercial space, which is defined as commercial property empty for at least six months. The program will provide grants to individuals, partnerships, corporations, or non-profit organizations for establishing hydroponic agriculture facilities, which are systems that grow plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil, within these vacant commercial spaces. These grants can cover costs such as feasibility studies, purchasing vacant property, renovations, equipment, and other approved expenses, with individual awards capped at $1,000,000 or 25% of the total project cost, whichever is less. The DCEO is authorized to create specific rules for the program, including eligibility criteria and prioritization factors like poverty rates and proximity to grocery stores, and the bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3972&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104