BY HANNAH SPANGLER
Following board approval of its 2026 state legislative priorities, Illinois Farm Bureau has outlined the legislative team’s agenda for the year, which includes initiatives such as reforming the Illinois Estate Tax and opposing burdensome wetland legislation.
As the Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield this month, passing the Family Farm Preservation Act (FFPA) remains a top goal for IFB. The measure would help the 96% of family-owned farms keep their operations intact through generational transitions without being forced to sell assets or land. The current estate tax threshold is $4 million, but this is not an exemption, said Chris Davis, IFB’s director of state legislation. It is an exclusion amount. When an estate exceeds $4 million, the entire value is subject to taxation.
“Illinois Farm Bureau believes the state shares our commitment to preserving family farms,” Davis told FarmWeek. “No family should be forced to sell the farm just to pay the estate tax.”
Another priority for IFB is ensuring biofuels remain a central part of Illinois’ energy future. Illinois ranks third nationally in ethanol and biodiesel production, and IFB says these renewable fuels offer an immediate, practical solution to reducing carbon emissions while supporting the state’s $51 billion agricultural economy.
Significant federal and state resources have been dedicated to electrification, but IFB will advocate for policies that expand biofuel markets in support of agriculture, offering an immediate solution to decarbonizing the transportation sector.
Wetland regulations also remain a concern. Davis said IFB will work to prevent rules that create uncertainty for landowners and jeopardize farms. The organization supports policies that align with existing federal standards and provide clarity and consistency for members.
Along with concerns about wetlands, IFB is also focused on protecting personal property rights as interest grows in renewable energy projects, broadband expansion and carbon capture. These projects often require land use changes that can disrupt farm operations. IFB supports minimizing negative impacts from these projects and advocates for developers to sign and comply with Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreements to protect the productive capability of farmland.
In addition to these top priorities, IFB will also focus on several other key issues this year, including:
- Preserving farmers’ ability to apply restricted-use pesticides while preventing additional burdensome legislation.
- Maintaining a fair process for siting livestock farms under the Livestock Management Facilities Act that protects the environment and supports farmers’ ability to raise livestock.
- Securing adequate state funding for essential Illinois Department of Agriculture programs.
- Continuing voluntary, incentive-based conservation efforts through the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.
To implement these priorities, the state legislative team will coordinate closely with county Farm Bureaus and IFB’s Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division, Davis said.