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.
