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Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HJR0055

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HJR0055 - 104th General Assembly

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HJ0055
LRB104 17469 MST 30895 r
1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, Illinois is home to some of the most productive
3
and fertile agricultural land in the world, forming the
4
foundation of the State's economy, food security, and rural
5
heritage; and

6

WHEREAS, Agriculture remains a critical driver of
7
employment, export revenue, and community stability across
8
Illinois, supporting farmers, farmworkers, processors, and
9
local economies; and

10

WHEREAS, Prime farmland and farmland of statewide
11
importance are finite resources that, once converted to
12
non-agricultural uses, are rarely restored to full
13
agricultural productivity; and

14

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has made significant public
15
investments in strengthening local food systems, supporting
16
emerging and family farmers, advancing agricultural equity,
17
and promoting rural economic development, all of which depend
18
on continued access to viable farmland; and

19

WHEREAS, Illinois has committed to ambitious clean-energy
20
and climate goals through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,
21
establishing the State as a national leader in

HJ0055
- 2 -
LRB104 17469 MST 30895 r
1
renewable-energy deployment, emissions reduction, workforce
2
development, and environmental justice; and

3

WHEREAS, Climate solutions must be implemented
4
responsibly, equitably, and sustainably with consideration for
5
land, water, food systems, and communities, according to the
6
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act; and

7

WHEREAS, Agricultural land contributes to Illinois'
8
climate resilience by supporting local food production,
9
reducing transportation-related emissions, preserving
10
carbon-rich soils, and maintaining working landscapes; and

11

WHEREAS, Large-scale solar, energy storage, transmission,
12
and other industrial developments are increasingly sited on
13
active agricultural land, raising concerns regarding soil
14
health, drainage systems, long-term land productivity, farm
15
viability, and local land-use authority; and

16

WHEREAS, The avoidable conversion or fragmentation of
17
productive farmland may undermine long-term food security,
18
weaken rural economies, and diminish the environmental and
19
climate benefits associated with healthy agricultural soils;
20
and

21

WHEREAS, Responsible land-use planning can advance

HJ0055
- 3 -
LRB104 17469 MST 30895 r
1
clean-energy objectives while protecting farmland by
2
prioritizing development on disturbed lands, brownfields,
3
rooftops, parking facilities, rights-of-way, and other
4
non-agricultural or previously developed sites; and

5

WHEREAS, Farmers, landowners, conservation districts, and
6
local governments have a direct interest in decisions
7
affecting agricultural land, soil resources, water systems,
8
and rural infrastructure; therefore, be it

9

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
10
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
11
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that it is of vital importance to
12
protect Illinois farmland from irreversible conversion and
13
fragmentation due to solar, industrial, and other large-scale
14
developments; and be it further

15

RESOLVED, That we affirm that farmland protection is
16
consistent with and complementary to the goals of the Climate
17
and Equitable Jobs Act and should be considered in
18
clean-energy planning and implementation; and be it further

19

RESOLVED, That we urge State agencies, local governments,
20
and developers to prioritize renewable-energy and
21
infrastructure projects on non-agricultural lands whenever
22
practicable and to minimize impacts on prime farmland and

HJ0055
- 4 -
LRB104 17469 MST 30895 r
1
farmland of statewide importance; and be it further

2

RESOLVED, That we support renewable-energy siting
3
practices that protect soil health, drainage infrastructure,
4
and long-term agricultural productivity, including appropriate
5
decommissioning and land-restoration standards; and be it
6
further

7

RESOLVED, That we encourage transparent decision-making
8
and meaningful community engagement to ensure that
9
agricultural landowners and rural communities are protected
10
from unintended long-term harm; and be it further

11

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
12
delivered to the Governor, the Illinois Department of
13
Agriculture, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the
14
Illinois Commerce Commission, county boards, and other
15
relevant planning authorities.

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