Harper Highlights Comprehensive Food System and Agricultural Equity Agenda Ahead of Black Farmers and Growers Lobby Day

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Ahead of the 4th Annual Black Farmers and Growers Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 6, at the Illinois State Capitol Building, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is highlighting a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at strengthening Illinois’ food systems, expanding access to farmland, advancing equity in agriculture and cannabis policy, and investing in communities historically excluded from state-supported agricultural opportunities.

“Food access, land equity, and agricultural opportunity are deeply connected to the wellbeing of every community in Illinois,” Harper said. “This legislative package reflects years of conversation with farmers, advocates, and residents who are calling for a fairer, more sustainable food system. Lobby Day is an opportunity to bring those voices directly into the policy process and move meaningful change forward.”

The legislative package includes key House Bills, House Resolutions, and a Joint Resolution designed to address structural inequities in food access, farmer support, and land development policy while building stronger connections between urban and rural communities across Illinois:

• House Bill 4720 and House Bill 4922 would invest $2.5 million to expand Illinois’ Emerging and Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Grant programs, helping new farmers, farmers of color, and under-resourced producers access capital, improve infrastructure, and grow their operations so more people can successfully participate in and stay in agriculture.
• House Bill 5300 creates a way to officially identify “Food Desert Zones” in Illinois so we can better target investment where access to fresh, affordable food is limited. It helps prioritize those communities for new grocery stores, mobile markets, and other healthy food options, while encouraging partnerships that bring more fresh food retail into underserved urban and rural areas.
• House Bill 4286 strengthens Illinois’ cannabis equity efforts by improving the Cannabis Equity Commission’s role and coordination, expanding opportunities for social equity applicants, and increasing transparency in licensing and funding, while ensuring communities most impacted by past cannabis enforcement have real access to economic opportunities in the industry.
• House Bill 5235 establishes the Food System Coordination Act, to help Illinois take a more coordinated approach to how we plan and manage our food system by improving collaboration between state agencies, strengthening supply chains from farm to table, reducing duplication in programs and funding, and supporting long-term planning for a more sustainable and equitable food system that can better meet community needs.
• House Resolution 726 designates a statewide Black Farmers & Growers Week to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black farmers and growers in Illinois, while also highlighting their historical and ongoing impact, raising awareness of the barriers,
• House Resolution 667 encourages stronger partnerships between urban and rural communities by supporting direct connections between producers and consumers, expanding regional food hubs and cooperative distribution, and investing in local food economies to build a more connected and resilient statewide food system.
• House Joint Resolution 55 focuses on protecting Illinois farmland and shaping responsible development by preserving productive agricultural land, supporting sustainable growth, and improving long-term land access for new and emerging farmers while balancing community development needs with the state’s agricultural future.

“Whether it’s expanding access to healthy food, protecting farmland, or ensuring equity in opportunity, this work is about building a food system that serves everyone—not just some,” Harper said. “Black Farmers and Growers Lobby Day is a reminder that when we bring communities to the table, we can shape policies that reflect their needs and their future.”