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Legislative Initiatives Set for 2021 Year

The Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors has approved state legislative initiatives for the new year that will benefit Illinois farmers.

2021 State Legislative Priorities:

• Seek to maintain the tax policy provisions that currently exist in Illinois that provide economic stability for the agricultural industry including the agricultural sales tax exemptions for seed, feed, fertilizer/chemicals and equipment.

• Work to maintain adequate state funding for key Illinois Department of Agriculture programs like meat/poultry/egg inspectors, environmental programs, warehouse oversight, and veterinarian programs. This includes advocating for a viable and independent Illinois Department of Agriculture.

• Maintain a balanced process for siting livestock farms through the Livestock Management Facilities Act (LMFA) that protects both the environment and farmers’ ability to raise livestock.

• Support legislation limiting liability on agritourism for inherent risks.

• Support the expansion and enhancement of high-speed broadband while protecting the private property rights of farmers during the installation, maintenance, and upgrading of current services.

• Engage in renewable energy policy discussions to minimize the negative impact to agriculture and to promote the use of renewable fuels as a solution for reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

• Support Biofuels markets through programs that encourage the use of ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel.

• Support Illinois Farmer Mental Health Assistance Program. • Educate members of the General Assembly on the importance of the Farmland Assessment Law.