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| Public Act 102-0973
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| HB5201 Enrolled | LRB102 24850 RJF 34098 b |
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AN ACT concerning State government.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the |
Agriculture Equity Commission Act.
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Section 5. Agriculture Equity Commission.
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(a) There is hereby established the Agriculture Equity |
Commission to ensure equity in the State's top job producing |
industry by recognizing the loss to African American farmers |
and growers and the difficulties other minorities have faced |
in the agriculture industry and the effect those difficulties |
have on the food system, health, and economy of vulnerable |
communities.
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(b) To the extent practicable, the Commission shall |
reflect representation of socially disadvantaged communities, |
businesses, and farmers, and include academics, policy |
experts, and legislators who are experienced in agriculture |
and related matters.
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(c) The Commission shall consist of the following members:
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(1) eight members appointed one each by the Governor, |
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader |
of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, |
Minority Leader of the Senate, the House of |
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Representatives Agriculture Chair, the Black Caucus Joint |
Chair, and the Latino Caucus Chair;
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(2) one member of the Latino Caucus;
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(3) one member of the Black Caucus;
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(4) the Director of Agriculture, or his or her |
designee;
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(5) the Director of Public Health, or his or her |
designee;
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(6) a representative of an agribusiness or small |
farmer private enterprise, appointed by the Governor; |
(7) two representatives of nonprofit community based |
organizations located in a disproportionately impacted |
area or food desert whose primary mission is helping |
minorities in the agriculture field and increasing healthy |
food access, appointed by the Governor; |
(8) one representative of a nonprofit statewide |
organization dedicated to policy to improve the conditions |
for socially disadvantaged farmers, appointed by the |
Governor; |
(9) one representative of a nonprofit organization |
whose primary mission is environmental justice and |
increasing healthy food access for minority populations, |
appointed by the Governor; |
(10) six socially disadvantaged farmers or |
agribusiness owners from various areas of the State, |
including minority-owned businesses, women-owned |
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businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a |
disability, appointed by the Governor; |
(11) one person with a background and work experience |
in journalism, public relations community outreach, and |
agriculture, appointed by the Governor; |
(12) one representative of a nonprofit organization |
that trains new farmers through apprenticeship programs |
and increases healthy food access, appointed by the |
Governor; |
(13) one attorney or legal expert in property law, |
appointed by the Governor; |
(14) one representative of a Fortune 500 agribusiness |
or a business with a significant presence in agriculture |
that is headquartered or has offices in the State of |
Illinois, appointed by the Governor; |
(15) one representative of an organization dedicated |
to economic and business development for minorities; and |
(16) one agriculture teacher or instructor, or a |
person from an organization dedicated to agricultural |
education for minorities and underserved communities, |
appointed by the Governor. |
(d) Members of the Commission shall serve without |
compensation for the duration of the Commission.
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(e) In the event of a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled |
in the same manner as the original appointment or as otherwise |
provided under this Section.
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(f) The Commission shall convene within 60 days after the |
effective date of this Act. At the initial meeting of the |
Commission, the Commission shall elect a chair from among its |
members. The Commission shall meet on a quarterly basis, or |
more often if necessary.
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(g) The Department of Agriculture shall provide |
administrative and other support to the Commission.
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Section 10. Duties of the Commission. The Agriculture |
Equity Commission shall have the following duties:
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(1) To study and provide recommendations concerning |
equity for and participation of socially disadvantaged |
farmers and growers in the agriculture sector in Illinois.
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(2) To study and provide recommendations concerning |
all forms of agriculture, including, but not limited to, |
corn and soy, small farms, specialty crops, livestock, |
urban farming, indoor farming, cannabis, and hemp.
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(3) To provide recommendations for policies and |
programs in several main areas in which the Commission can |
address through workgroups, including, but not limited to, |
the following: (i) access to secure land tenure; (ii) |
access to capital and financial planning; (iii) access to |
education and training; (iv) access to resources, |
infrastructure, and business planning; and (v) market |
access and diversification.
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(4) To help guide plans and policies in Illinois |
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agriculture industries, including, but not limited to, the |
following: (i) increasing outreach to socially |
disadvantaged farmers and growers; (ii) working with the |
Department of Agriculture to analyze and propose |
legislative policy solutions and on the ground projects; |
and (iii) reviewing disparity studies and suggesting new |
areas of study or data collection.
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(5) To develop an annual plan of education events, |
meetings, and trainings for all sectors of socially |
disadvantaged farmers and growers.
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Section 15. Report. The Agriculture Equity Commission |
shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly |
on its findings, recommendations, and other relevant matters |
concerning and based upon its duties as prescribed under |
Section 10.
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