FARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAM ACT House SponsorsRep. Sonya M. Harper-Debbie Meyers-Martin-Harry Benton-Carol Ammons, Kam Buckner, Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Edgar Gonzalez, Jr., Justin Slaughter and Jason Bunting Senate Sponsors(Sen. Linda Holmes, Dale Fowler, Robert F. Martwick, Rachel Ventura, Andrew S. Chesney, Ann Gillespie-Mattie Hunter, Mary Edly-Allen, Laura M. Murphy and Mike Simmons) 8/3/2023HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0412 New Act Creates the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program Act. Establishes the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program within the Department of Human Services to help expand the availability of nutritious, locally grown, raised, or processed foods for Illinois' emergency food system. Provides that the program shall (1) acquire and distribute agricultural products from Illinois agricultural entities or aggregators to Illinois' emergency food system, and (2) provide grants to improve capacity of the emergency food system to allow for the proper transportation, storage, or distribution of agricultural products to underserved areas. Provides that the program shall target fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs produced in Illinois. Provides that foods shall be surplus, seconds, or market-grade quality levels and must be safe for consumption. Provides that the program is subject to appropriation and shall dedicate no less than 75% of available funds to acquisition and distribution of food. Requires the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to engage a not-for-profit entity from Illinois' emergency food system to administer the program. Requires the administering entity to have statewide reach and represent multiple food banks that source and distribute food to Illinois food pantries and soup kitchens under the same authorities and standards as the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Department. Contains provisions concerning the duties of the administering entity. Creates the Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council to provide support to the program through facilitating relationship-building and partnerships between the Illinois agricultural sector and the emergency food system and other matters. Provides that the program may distribute food to those food banks with the infrastructure to accept, store, and distribute foods through the emergency food system and with the capacity to serve significant geographic areas within Illinois. Provides that the program shall distribute capacity-building grants for facility upgrades, equipment, or other investments necessary to support the objectives of the program. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules. Effective immediately. 2/16/2023HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 2/16/2023HouseFirst Reading 2/16/2023HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin 2/27/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton 2/28/2023HouseAssigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/7/2023HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000 3/8/2023HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/8/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner 3/14/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch 3/15/2023HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 3/15/2023HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 3/15/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons 3/15/2023HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Carol Ammons 3/15/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. 3/15/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter 3/22/2023HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000 3/22/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason Bunting 3/23/2023SenateArrive in Senate 3/23/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 3/23/2023SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner 3/23/2023SenateFirst Reading 3/23/2023SenateReferred to Assignments 3/28/2023SenateAlternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Linda Holmes 4/18/2023SenateApproved for Consideration Assignments 4/18/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 19, 2023 4/20/2023SenateSecond Reading 4/20/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 25, 2023 5/2/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler 5/3/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick 5/3/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura 5/3/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney 5/5/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** May 8, 2023 5/5/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Ann Gillespie 5/8/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter 5/10/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen 5/10/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy 5/11/2023SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000 5/11/2023HousePassed Both Houses 5/16/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons 6/9/2023HouseSent to the Governor 8/3/2023HouseGovernor Approved 8/3/2023HouseEffective Date August 3, 2023 8/3/2023HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0412