SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, has passed legislation out of committee aimed at improving the quality of food served in Illinois schools.

“Schools are more than just places to learn—they play a big role in shaping our kids’ daily lives,” Harper said. “For many students, the meal they get at school might be the only one they eat all day. That meal should not be full of high sodium and fat that can lead to obesity and other health issues.”

House Bill 5507 establishes the Food Reform to Ensure Student Health Act, which is designed to make school meals healthier by removing unhealthy foods. Starting in 2029, schools will begin taking these items off their menus, and by 2032, food companies will no longer be allowed to sell heavily processed or “junk” foods to schools. The law also holds food suppliers more accountable by requiring them to be transparent about what they sell and to report on their progress each year. Additionally, school staff will receive training so they know how to prepare and serve healthier meals, ensuring students have access to better food at school.

“This is a common-sense step to make sure our students have access to better food,” Harper said. “When students eat healthier meals, they are better prepared to focus, learn, and succeed.”

The bill is now headed to the House floor for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, has advanced legislation out of committee designed to strengthen coordination across Illinois’ charitable food network.

“No one, especially people who work hard every day, should have to struggle to put food on the table,” Harper said. “They deserve better. This legislation is a major step toward addressing food insecurity across our state by ensuring the organizations that serve individuals and families facing hunger are better coordinated and working together. In the long run, it will help build a stronger, more equitable food system so families can make the most of every dollar.”

House Bill 5235 would establish the Comprehensive Charitable Food System Coordination Act to strengthen how state agencies collaborate with food banks, pantries, farmers, distributors, and other partners addressing hunger. The legislation ensures that state and federally managed hunger relief funding is distributed in a more coordinated and strategic way by requiring agencies to engage with key stakeholders in the charitable food network. It also encourages the formation of advisory or working groups made up of frontline organizations and prioritizes funding for initiatives that enhance efficiency, collaboration, and equity across the system. Additionally, the bill updates current law to allow the Illinois Department of Human Services to award Hunger Relief Fund grants to both food banks and local food providers, broadening access to vital resources for communities in need.

“This is about reaching people in their communities and making sure local providers have the resources they need to support those around them,” Harper said. “By investing in and strengthening the full network of food assistance, we’re helping people lead healthier lives.” 

The bill now advances to the House for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, has advanced legislation out of committee designed to make transportation safer and more accessible for people with disabilities.

“People with disabilities, just like anyone else, deserve reliable transportation so they can live their daily lives safely and independently,” Harper said. “By holding drivers accountable, improving training, and making it easier for caregivers to arrange rides, this policy helps ensure everyone has equal access to transportation.”

House Bill 5576 changes the Regional Transportation Authority Act to require that the Northern Illinois Transit Authority meet certain conditions before using money from its Americans with Disabilities Paratransit Fund. The authority must create a system to track the reliability of its paratransit service and evaluate driver performance.

Drivers who receive poor evaluations must complete regular training, especially on how to assist riders who are visually impaired or deaf, including door-to-door service. The bill also requires
that all booking methods allow caregivers to schedule rides for riders who are visually impaired or deaf, making the service more accessible and easier to use.

“At the end of the day, this is about ensuring that everyone in Illinois has access to dependable transportation,” Harper said. “Everyone deserves access to public resources, and living with a
disability doesn’t change that.”

SPRINGFIELD, ILL – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, announced that her legislation aimed at expanding support for Illinois farmers—particularly emerging and socially disadvantaged producers has successfully advanced out of committee.

“This legislation is about investing in our farmers and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed,” Harper said. “By prioritizing emerging and socially disadvantaged farmers, we are working to create more equitable access to resources and build stronger agricultural communities across Illinois.”

House Bill 4922 establishes a new grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to strengthen farming operations across the state. The program provides targeted funding to help farmers increase production, enhance their operations, and expand access to broader markets. It clearly outlines who is eligible to apply and how the funds can be used, ensuring resources go to the farmers who need them most. By focusing on opportunity and access, the legislation aims to help farmers grow their operations and remain competitive in the market.

The measure also provides clear direction for the State to release $2.5 million in funding that has remained stalled since 2021. This funding was originally approved by the General Assembly and championed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus as part of its landmark Four Pillar Agenda to Address Systemic Racism in State Government. The allocation was intended to support grants for socially disadvantaged farmers, representing a significant commitment at the time to advancing equity and opportunity in Illinois’ agricultural sector.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure these grants become available,” Harper said. “Continued investment in Illinois agriculture is essential to supporting communities and farmers across the state.”

The legislation now advances to the House for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL – Building on her ongoing efforts to strengthen local food systems and protect the state’s natural resources, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is celebrating the advancement of two of her sponsored bills that have passed committee. 

“Our farmers and our natural resources go hand in hand, and both deserve our support,” Harper said. “By helping farmers afford practices like cover crops, we’re improving soil and water, while also strengthening their businesses. At the same time, we’re making sure ginseng is protected.” 

House Bill 5512 would establish a new program through the Illinois Department of Agriculture to help farmers save money by offering crop insurance premium discounts for planting cover crops. These crops enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and support long-term farm sustainability. The measure also provides grants to local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and creates a dedicated fund to sustain the program.

House Bill 5021 strengthens the state’s Ginseng Harvesting Act by improving enforcement and accountability. It requires license holders to provide proof of licensure upon request, expands penalties to include attempted violations, and allows for more flexible license suspensions. The bill also authorizes the seizure of equipment used in illegal harvesting, with proceeds from any sales directed to the state’s Wildlife and Fish Fund.

“At the end of the day, it’s about taking care of our environment, supporting responsible growers, and ensuring these resources last for generations,” Harper said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance these measures.”

Both bills now move to the House for further consideration.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is applauding a new report that lays out centuries of discrimination and racial violence against Black Illinoisans—a history that’s at the heart of the push for reparations today.

“Black Illinoisans have endured generations of devastating injustice,” Harper said. “While the law may no longer explicitly sanction discrimination, systemic inequities remain deeply embedded in our institutions. From jobs and education to housing, health care, public safety and economic opportunity, the disparities persist because the root causes were never fully addressed.”

In partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago, the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission compiled Taking Account: A History of Racial Harm & Injustice Against Black Illinoisans, which highlights persistent disparities across multiple sectors:

• Physical and Criminal Violence: Over 90 hate crimes targeting Black Illinoisans were recorded each year from 2022–2024. In 2023, Black women were nine times more likely to die from homicide than White women.
• Economic Inequality: The median income of a Black family is $40,000 less than that of a White family, and Black households have a median net worth over $100,000 less than White households. Unemployment among Black Illinoisans is three times higher than White residents.
• Housing Discrimination: Even today, Black applicants are less likely to qualify for conventional home loans, and Black residents are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than White residents.
• Education Gaps: Illinois has some of the most segregated public schools in the nation, with Black students facing lower funding and higher disciplinary rates. Only 24.6% of Black Illinois residents hold a college degree, compared to 41.4% of White residents.
• Health Inequities: Black Illinoisans face significantly higher rates of premature mortality, infant mortality, and reliance on Medicaid than White residents.
• Incarceration & Police Violence: Black Illinoisans are seven times more likely to be incarcerated than White residents. As recently as 2000, Black residents made up over60% of the incarcerated population despite being only 15% of the state’s population. In 2020, Black residents represented 14% of Illinois’ population but 60% of lethal encounters with law enforcement.

“This report makes clear that the harm is not just historical, it is ongoing,” Harper said. “Our responsibility now is to close the income and wealth gaps, expand fair access to housing, reduce incarceration disparities, strengthen our schools and address health inequities so every Illinoisan has the opportunity to thrive.”

The same law which created the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission requires its report to be delivered to the Illinois General Assembly and governor, who may use it to guide future policy decisions.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representative Sonya Harper, (D-Chicago), Chair of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, unveiled her 2026 legislative agenda, aimed at expanding land access, promoting food equity, and creating opportunities for beginning and disadvantaged farmers—while making sure cannabis legalization delivers real social equity.

“From farmland to food deserts, Illinois must build a fair and functional food system,” Rep. Harper said. “This agenda supports everyone in the food chain—from landowners and farmers to families accessing healthy groceries—while holding the state accountable to communities historically left out.”

Supporting Farmers Across Illinois
Harper’s agricultural package opens doors for beginning, emerging, and socially disadvantaged
farmers:

• HB4590 – Farm Down Payment Assistance
• HB4922 – Emerging Farmer Grants
• HB4720 – Agriculture Disadvantaged Farmers Funding
• HB5504 – Agriculture Beginning Farmer Funding

“These bills reduce barriers to land ownership, increase access to capital, and create long-term economic opportunities in both rural and urban communities,” Harper said.

Protecting Land and Livelihoods
To combat flooding and promote conservation, Harper is advancing:

• HB3433 – Flood Risk Reduction Pilot
• HB5512 – Agricultural Fall Covers & Spring Savings

“These initiatives strengthen soil health, reduce nutrient runoff, and help farmers weather extreme weather,” she explained.

Modernizing Food Access

Harper’s plan also tackles food insecurity in cities and rural areas with:

• HB4721 – Grocery Online Markets
• HB5300 – DCEO Food Desert Zones
• HB5235 – Food Systems Coordination Act

“No family should have to travel miles for groceries, and no farmer should struggle to access markets,” Harper said. “This is about building a connected, resilient food system.”

Advancing Cannabis Equity
To ensure social equity in cannabis, Harper supports:

• HB3074 – Cannabis Delivery Licenses
• HB4286 – Cannabis Equity Commission
• HB4641 – Cannabis Reform

“Five years after legalization, Illinois must finish the work,” Harper said. “Equity applicants and impacted communities deserve full implementation and accountability. Legalization without equity is incomplete.”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, joined legislators from across the globe at the Global Council for Political Renewal (GCPR) conference in Cape Town, South Africa, strengthening international dialogue on political innovation and collaboration.

“Attending GCPR’s conference was more than inspiring,” Harper said. “Exchanging ideas with leaders who are committed to ethical, people-focused solutions puts us in a better position to address the pressing challenges our communities face—from economic inequality to environmental sustainability.”

As an Illinois State Representative and chair of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, Harper has made it her mission to be a steadfast advocate for underserved communities. She has championed legislation to ensure access to fresh, healthy food, worked to expand affordable healthcare and housing options, and simultaneously dedicated herself to supporting a thriving and sustainable agriculture sector.

At the GCPR conference, leaders from developing countries shared their perspectives on some of the world’s toughest challenges while also finding ways to work together to address these issues. Participants explored how politicians, researchers, and communities can cooperate more effectively, promote ethical decision-making, support human rights, protect the environment, and build a fairer, more peaceful world. Education, research, and open dialogue were at the heart of the discussions, helping everyone understand complex issues and discover solutions that really make a difference.

“Engaging with leaders from around the world is always an honor for me,” Harper said. “It strengthens my belief that meaningful change is possible when we listen, collaborate, and act with integrity. Together, we can build policies that lift communities and create a more just and sustainable future for everyone.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) is celebrating the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s plan to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026 through the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program—an initiative she championed with the support of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and participants in Black Farmers and Growers Lobby Day.

“Food prices are rising across Illinois and investing in local food infrastructure is no longer optional, it’s essential,” Harper said. “We created this program to strengthen our farmers, shorten the supply chain and ensure Illinois families can access affordable, locally grown food. I’ve spent my career fighting to move our state from food deserts and fragile systems toward real, durable solutions, and this investment helps put that vision into action.”

The FY26 state budget issued funds to strengthen local food systems, supporting farms, food businesses, and other organizations in storing, processing, and distributing their products to the community. Grants range from $1,000 to $75,000 for individual projects, and up to $250,000 for collaborative efforts.

Eligible applicants include Illinois farms, cooperatives, food hubs, small businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and licensed (or custom-exempt) processing facilities with fewer than 50 employees—or those planning to be. Funds must be used for activities such as purchasing, leasing, or installing equipment and infrastructure for processing, storing, or distributing value-added foods.

“This is just the first step in building a strong foundation for the next generation of Illinois farmers, families, and communities,” Harper said. “I will continue to do everything I can to support our farmers and producers, ensuring they have the resources needed to bring high-quality, healthy food to every community in this state.”

Application for grant funding will be available February 18, 2026, on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.

CHICAGO – Committed to strengthening Illinois’ farming community, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is pushing a bill that would make it easier for residents to pursue their dream of owning a farm.

“Many Illinoisans dream of owning a farm, but too often that dream does not come to fruition due to limited resources,” Harper said. “We want to change that by creating opportunities that help people, regardless of their socioeconomic background, take meaningful steps toward farm ownership.”

Harper has introduced House Bill 4590, which would create the Illinois Down Payment Assistance Grant Program. Administered by the Department of Agriculture, the program would provide eligible first-time farm buyers with grants of up to $20,000 to help cover their down payments. If the number of applicants exceeds the available funding, recipients would be selected through a random lottery. The Department of Agriculture will establish rules to ensure that the process is fair and transparent.

“This is about more than uplifting farmers today, it's about taking action now to foster a strong and resilient farming community that will sustain our agriculture sector for years to come,” Harper said. “I look forward to doing everything in my power to advance this legislation.”