CNTY CD-FARMLAND PRESERVATION Senate SponsorsSen. Pamela J. Althoff and William R. Haine House Sponsors(Rep. Michael Tryon-Linda Chapa LaVia-Kathleen A. Ryg-Karen May-Patricia Reid Lindner, Harry R. Ramey, Jr., Elaine Nekritz, Mark H. Beaubien, Jr., Dave Winters, Jim Sacia, Ronald A. Wait and Julie Hamos) 1/13/2009SenateSession Sine Die 55 ILCS 5/5-1009.5 newAmends the Counties Code. Provides that a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may levy an annual tax for farmland preservation easement purposes. Provides that the tax may not exceed 0.05% of the equalized assessed value of taxable property in the county. Provides that the tax must be approved by referendum. Provides that the tax may be discontinued by referendum.Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that a referendum to levy or discontinue a tax for county farmland preservation easement purposes may be initiated by a petition signed by a number of electors equal to at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast in the county during the last preceding gubernatorial election (instead of 100 taxpayers residing in the county). Provides that moneys in the county farmland preservation easement fund shall (instead of may) be used by the county for the purchase of easements to preserve farmland within the county. 2/7/2008SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 2/7/2008SenateFirst Reading 2/7/2008SenateReferred to Rules 2/14/2008SenateAssigned to Local Government 2/21/2008SenateDo Pass Local Government; 007-000-001 2/21/2008SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 26, 2008 2/27/2008SenateSecond Reading 2/27/2008SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading February 28, 2008 2/28/2008SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 2/28/2008SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules 3/5/2008SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Local Government 4/1/2008SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. William R. Haine 4/3/2008SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Local Government; 008-000-000 4/8/2008SenateRecalled to Second Reading 4/8/2008SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Althoff 4/8/2008SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 9, 2008 4/9/2008SenateThird Reading - Passed; 044-009-003 4/9/2008HouseArrived in House 4/9/2008HousePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 4/9/2008HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Michael Tryon 4/9/2008HouseFirst Reading 4/9/2008HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/15/2008HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia 4/15/2008HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg 4/15/2008HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Karen May 4/16/2008HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Patricia Reid Lindner 4/17/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry R. Ramey, Jr. 4/29/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Elaine Nekritz 4/29/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Mark H. Beaubien, Jr. 4/30/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Winters 5/1/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jim Sacia 5/16/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Ronald A. Wait 5/16/2008HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Julie Hamos 1/13/2009SenateSession Sine Die