March 2019
Photo: IL. General Assembly
Each Senate Bill (SB) listed below has special significance for Heart of Illinois Group Sierra area concerns. We salute Illinois State Senator Dave Koehler for his leadership in sponsoring this very important legislation. Contact your state senator and representatives with support for these bills.
County Board Binding Recommendation SB 1481
Amends the Livestock Management Facilities Act. Provides that the county board shall submit at the informational meeting or within 30 days following the meeting a binding recommendation (currently, an advisory, non-binding recommendation) to the Department of Agriculture about the proposed new facility's construction in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Act. Requires the binding recommendation to contain a statement of whether the proposed facility achieves or fails to achieve any of the required criteria. Provides that after reviewing the binding recommendation submitted to the county, the Department shall deny any permit to construct if the county recommends that the facility not be constructed. Effective immediately.
Antibiotic Use in Food Animals SB 1186
Creates the Administration of Antibiotics to Food-Producing Animals Act. Provides that a medically important antibiotic may be administered to a food-producing animal only if prescribed by a veterinarian licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 who has visited the farm operation within the previous 6 months and only if deemed necessary for specified purposes. Provides that a producer may provide a medically important antibiotic to a food-producing animal only for the period necessary to accomplish the specified purposes.
Increase Penalty for Wrongful Pesticide Applications SB1482
Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Increases the monetary penalties for violations of the Act. Effective January 1, 2020.
Beneficial Vehicle Electrification SB2059
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to initiate a process whereby the Commission shall develop a forward-looking plan for strategically increasing transportation electrification in the State, that the process shall be open and transparent, and that the process shall conclude within 270 days of opening. Provides that the plan developed by the Commission shall incentivize transportation electrification through beneficial electrification programs, may include specific directives for public utilities in the State that enable transportation electrification or beneficial electrification, and should specifically address environmental justice interests and provide opportunities for residents and businesses in environmental justice communities to directly benefit from transportation electrification. Effective immediately.