Advocating for Illinois family farms in Springfield
The death of a loved one should not force families to have to sell the farm. This is the message I delivered to a panel of state lawmakers last month while testifying in Springfield, one part of Illinois Farm Bureau’s ongoing efforts to reform the Illinois estate tax and secure passage of the Family Farm Preservation Act.
Contained in HB 4600 and SB 2921, this bipartisan legislation continues to garner additional support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle since it was introduced in January. The bill’s lead sponsor in the Illinois House, state Rep. Sharon Chung, joined me and two other Illinois Farm Bureau members to testify in support of the bill at an Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee subject matter hearing on April 12.
The subject matter hearing was a critical step toward passing this legislation this spring, and we expect this issue to be taken up as part of state budget negotiations in late May.
I’m grateful to IFB members Jeff Brooks of Whiteside County and Ali Gibbs of Woodford County for sharing their emotional experiences navigating the Illinois estate tax and spotlighting the challenges that come with transitioning the farm after the death of a family member.
Their compelling stories appeared to resonate with members of the committee, who also heard from state Rep. Chung about the importance of keeping Illinois farms in the family and keeping Illinois farmers on the farm.
A huge “thank you” to state Rep. Chung and to state Sen. Dave Koehler for carrying these bills in the House and Senate, respectively, as well as to the more than three dozen Democrat and Republican lawmakers sponsoring the legislation across both chambers. This is truly a bipartisan effort.
The RFD Radio Network recently interviewed eight of these legislators about their ties to Illinois agriculture and their support for the Family Farm Preservation Act. The interviews, which will air on RFD Radio over the next few weeks, can be found here: FFPA | farmweeknow.com
I’m also deeply appreciative of the IFB members and leaders in the county Farm Bureaus who have engaged with their adopted state legislators on this issue. Upcoming farm visits around spring planting are also an excellent opportunity to elevate the Family Farm Preservation Act and share with lawmakers your own experience with the Illinois estate tax.
More information on HB 4600 and SB 2921 can be found at Family Farm Preservation Act | Illinois Farm Bureau (ilfb.org) and in the CFB Leaders Portal.
The IFB State Legislative Team is also actively working to defeat SB 771, the Wetlands Protection Act. This legislation, which has evolved from two previously introduced bills (SB 3669 and HB 5386) on the same issue, is still moving through the Illinois Senate and will likely remain on the radar until the end of the spring session.
Illinois Farm Bureau is still opposed to many of the concepts in the latest draft bill and has built a strong coalition of opposition from a variety of industries in addition to agriculture. We continue to meet with the Senate sponsor and advocates of this issue to share our areas of opposition, and we’re confident in our ability to prevent this legislation from passing this session. More information on the proposed bill’s current form can be found here: IFB takes action on wetlands legislation | State | farmweeknow.com
Over 600 IFB members made clear to Illinois Senate members their opposition to this bill and the burden it would bring to their farms and businesses during an Action Request campaign launched on April 10. This grassroots display of unified voices ultimately derailed a planned Senate vote on the proposed legislation, giving the State Legislative and Enivronmental teams additional time to negotiate terms of the bill.
THANK YOU to the hundreds of members who responded to the Action Request on this vital issue, which carries high stakes for the future of private property rights and environmental regulations in our state. Your advocacy had a direct impact on the bill’s path through the statehouse, and I’m confident our collective effort will bear significant results this legislative session.
As IFB actively fights this issue, please continue to engage with your state senators and adopted legislators about the implications of passing this punitive legislation.