HJ0055 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0055 LRB104 17469 MST 30895 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois is home to some of the most productive and fertile agricultural land in the world, forming the foundation of the State's economy, food security, and rural heritage; and

WHEREAS, Agriculture remains a critical driver of employment, export revenue, and community stability across Illinois, supporting farmers, farmworkers, processors, and local economies; and

WHEREAS, Prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance are finite resources that, once converted to non-agricultural uses, are rarely restored to full agricultural productivity; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has made significant public investments in strengthening local food systems, supporting emerging and family farmers, advancing agricultural equity, and promoting rural economic development, all of which depend on continued access to viable farmland; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has committed to ambitious clean-energy and climate goals through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, establishing the State as a national leader in renewable-energy deployment, emissions reduction, workforce development, and environmental justice; and

WHEREAS, Climate solutions must be implemented responsibly, equitably, and sustainably with consideration for land, water, food systems, and communities, according to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act; and

WHEREAS, Agricultural land contributes to Illinois' climate resilience by supporting local food production, reducing transportation-related emissions, preserving carbon-rich soils, and maintaining working landscapes; and

WHEREAS, Large-scale solar, energy storage, transmission, and other industrial developments are increasingly sited on active agricultural land, raising concerns regarding soil health, drainage systems, long-term land productivity, farm viability, and local land-use authority; and

WHEREAS, The avoidable conversion or fragmentation of productive farmland may undermine long-term food security, weaken rural economies, and diminish the environmental and climate benefits associated with healthy agricultural soils; and

WHEREAS, Responsible land-use planning can advance clean-energy objectives while protecting farmland by prioritizing development on disturbed lands, brownfields, rooftops, parking facilities, rights-of-way, and other non-agricultural or previously developed sites; and

WHEREAS, Farmers, landowners, conservation districts, and local governments have a direct interest in decisions affecting agricultural land, soil resources, water systems, and rural infrastructure; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that it is of vital importance to protect Illinois farmland from irreversible conversion and fragmentation due to solar, industrial, and other large-scale developments; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm that farmland protection is consistent with and complementary to the goals of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and should be considered in clean-energy planning and implementation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge State agencies, local governments, and developers to prioritize renewable-energy and infrastructure projects on non-agricultural lands whenever practicable and to minimize impacts on prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support renewable-energy siting practices that protect soil health, drainage infrastructure, and long-term agricultural productivity, including appropriate decommissioning and land-restoration standards; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage transparent decision-making and meaningful community engagement to ensure that agricultural landowners and rural communities are protected from unintended long-term harm; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Commerce Commission, county boards, and other relevant planning authorities.