Harper Named Chairperson of the Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, will continue her effort to ensure access to fresh food for all and promote urban farming as the new chairperson of the Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee.

“Fresh food and a clean environment are of critical importance regardless of where in the state you live,” Harper said. “As chairperson of the House’s agriculture committee, I will continue my work to promote urban agriculture and to expand agriculture across our state not just as a way to provide food or fuel sources, but to also provide good jobs for rural and urban Illinoisans.”

Harper is the first African-American woman in the Illinois House to serve as the head of the Agriculture & Conservation Committee. Previously, she served as the vice-chairperson of the committee, where she focused on efforts to expand urban agriculture in the state in order to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to food deserts. Harper also served on the Growing Our Agricultural Economy Transition Committee for the administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“As the first black woman to serve as House Agriculture & Conservation Committee chairperson, I know I have the ability to bring in fresh, new perspectives to agricultural issues in Illinois,” Harper said. “I look forward to working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in order to bridge rural and urban divides and to ensure that the important place of agriculture to our state, its economy, and its culture is prioritized in the House.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.