BLACK FARMERS RESTORATION PROG House SponsorsRep. Sonya M. Harper, Kam Buckner, Emanuel "Chris" Welch-Justin Slaughter-Debbie Meyers-Martin-Mary E. Flowers-Cyril Nichols, Edgar González, Jr., Will Guzzardi, Camille Y. Lilly, Lilian Jiménez, Norma Hernandez and Stephanie A. Kifowit Senate Sponsors(Sen. Mattie Hunter-Javier L. Cervantes, David Koehler, Napoleon Harris, III, Willie Preston, Karina Villa and Laura Fine) 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die New Act30 ILCS 105/5.990 new Creates the Black Farmer Restoration Program Act. Creates the Black Farmer Restoration Program within the Department of Agriculture to support current Black farmers and to encourage the growth of Black farmers into the field of agriculture. Creates the Black Farmer Restoration Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Fund shall consist of gifts, grants, donations, and appropriations which must be made to support the Program. Provides that expenditures from the Fund must be used exclusively to pay costs, fees, and expenses necessary to administer the Program. Establishes requirements and limitations for the Program. Establishes the Farm Conservation Corps to provide training in an on-field environment for socially disadvantaged residents. Provides that the Director shall make publicly available annual reports describing data on the recipients of the Department programs, including assistance from farm subsidy programs, and the amounts of the assistance, delineated by the race, ethnicity, and gender of the recipients. Defines terms. Effective immediately.House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Deletes provisions creating the Black Farmer Restoration Program. Provides that fee title acquisition grants to private landowners, socially disadvantaged farmers, and limited resource farmers shall be made from moneys in the Black Farmer Restoration Program Fund. Provides that the Programs created by the Act are subject to appropriation. Provides that subject to appropriation and in partnership with the University of Illinois Extension, the Department of Agriculture shall establish the Farm Conservation Corps to provide residents between the ages of 18 and 29 from socially disadvantaged groups the academic, vocational, and social skills necessary to pursue long-term and productive careers in agriculture. Provides that not less than 75% (rather than 25%) of funds shall be provided to applicants that lease or sell to socially disadvantaged farmers. Defines "limited resource farmer". Effective immediately. 2/17/2023HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 2/17/2023HouseFirst Reading 2/17/2023HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/28/2023HouseAssigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/7/2023HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 005-003-000 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 3/20/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 3/20/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/21/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/21/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 006-003-000 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary E. Flowers 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Cyril Nichols 3/22/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr. 3/22/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi 3/22/2023HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 3/22/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted 3/22/2023HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 3/23/2023HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 070-037-000 3/23/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly 3/27/2023SenateArrive in Senate 3/27/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 3/27/2023SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner 3/27/2023SenateFirst Reading 3/27/2023SenateReferred to Assignments 4/12/2023SenateAssigned to Appropriations 4/20/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Doris Turner 4/20/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 4/25/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Appropriations 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris, III 4/27/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston 4/28/2023SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 4/28/2023SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 5/9/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez 5/9/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez 3/14/2024SenateAlternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Mattie Hunter 3/21/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit 5/2/2024SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa 5/14/2024SenateRe-assigned to Appropriations 5/14/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Re-assigned to Appropriations 5/17/2024SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 5/17/2024SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 5/22/2024SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die