Harper Advances Agenda Focused on Uplifting the Agriculture Sector in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is furthering her commitment to enhance local food infrastructure, put an end to food deserts, and protect farmers across Illinois by advancing several bills out of crucial legislative committees that will pave the way for a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable future for all Illinoisans as Chair of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee. 

“Since I have been in Springfield, I have made it my mission to ensure that our agricultural sector here in Illinois is one of the loudest voices in the house chamber,” Harper said. “Due to Washington having their sights set on moving the industry that is the backbone of our state ten steps back, that mission is heightened now. This session, I will fight for legislation that protects our environment, helps everyone lead healthier lives, invests in our agriculture industry, and shields our farmers from the horrors of Donald Trump.” 

Harper moved several bills through their respective legislative committees and now they head to the House floor. Among these are:

 House Bill 1607, which would create a Commission on Eliminating Food Deserts, responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of current State-led efforts to eliminate food deserts in Illinois and advising the General Assembly (GA) on policy, funding, initiatives, and best practice for the elimination of food deserts in Illinois.

 House Bill 2933, which would direct the Department of Agriculture to study the impacts of drought and climate on agriculture in Illinois. 

 House Bill 3067, which would create the Small Farmer Restoration Program and the Small Farmer Restoration Program Fund. This program provides technical assistance grants to qualified entities in support of socially disadvantaged farmers who are seeking access to farmland and provides grants for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements to qualified easement holders. 

 House Bill 3844, which would better meet the needs of the pesticide delivery industry by helping operators and modernizing Department of Agriculture certification rules by dividing the term “licensed operator” into “licensed large-scale operator” and “licensed small-scale operator.”

 House Bill 3433, which would require the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to create and implement the Flood Risk Reduction Pilot Project. This project will test flood reduction practices geared toward protecting and restoring natural infrastructure. 

 House Bill 3701, which would direct all state agencies and facilities to create a Good Food Purchasing Program and recreate the Good Food Purchasing Policy Task Force.

Harper’s bills remain in the House, awaiting votes by the full body. 

“We must continue to look for ways to provide a solid foundation for our agriculture industry because when they thrive, we thrive.” Harper said. “After all, this industry has been and will remain the catalyst of our state.”