ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE CONSIDERING SOME BILLS THAT IMPACT AGRICULTURE

THOUSANDS OF PROPOSED BILLS DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

by Josh St. Peters

When the 103rd General Assembly convened this year, lawmakers introduced a staggering pile of bills– thousands of prospective regulations and rules which have been worked through as the lawmaking process grinds. A few days ago, the House and the Senate hit their self-imposed deadline for any viable bills making it out of committee. Much of the proposing yielded no results; hundreds of bills died as the deadline passed without them making it to the floor. There are still plenty of measures that are advancing, though. And a handful could bring some impact directly to your operation. Here is a recap of a few you might want to watch:

- The “Diseased Animal Prohibition Act” proposed in both the House and the Senate defines rules about the stoppage of livestock movement, exhibitions, sales, etc., in the event of an animal disease outbreak. Recent outbreaks of avian influenza have shown a potential shortcoming in no clear state rule about who gets to make decisions about movement of livestock during such an outbreak. This Act will place authority with the Director of Agriculture, in consultation with veterinarians at the agency.

- A House proposal would create a task force to look at alternative proteins, and study how Illinois can become a leader in this space, mentioning plant-based proteins and cultivated meat. IBA is engaged directly with the sponsor of this bill and other farm groups to express opposition. We’re making sure this task force isn’t anti-livestock.

- A House bill modernizes the Illinois Veterinary Medicine Act, putting framework around how veterinarians provide care and treatment by telephone. IBA has worked with the sponsor to amend this bill so that treating livestock on farms will be exempt from new “telehealth” rules.

- Two bills in the Senate proposed changes to the Livestock Management Facilities Act and related permitting process, but they both failed to get any support and did not move forward.

- Antibiotic use in livestock also came under fire in a bill that surfaced in both the Senate and the House; this legislation also failed to move forward.

If you hear of legislation that you’re curious about – please reach out. Drop me an e-mail at josh@illinoisbeef.com or call the office. We’ve still got plenty of work left in this session; this is just the first “round” of the process between now and when they’re slated to adjourn in May.

Producer Events

Crossroads Beef Producers

Crossroads Beef Producers gathered at Kountry Kitchin on Feb. 23rd and hosted a great meeting with speaker James Davison from CattlActive. Henry County Beef Association

Annual Banquet - Lavendar Crest Winery

March 25, 2025

Adams County Beef Bonanza

The Ambiance - Quincy, IL

March 25, 2025

Prairie Beef Association

2nd Annual Prairie Beef Assn. Showcase Jackpot Show- DeWitt Co. Fairgrounds

April 2, 2023

Association News

IBA Member Awards Nominations are Open

Your nominations for the Illinois Beef Association member awards are critical to recognize those individuals who “give their all” to make our industry the best it can be. Nominations can be made for your operation or on behalf of another producer. The winners will be recognized at the IBA Annual Meeting. We are very proud of the contributions made by the producers in our industry. This is an opportunity to recognize them both personally and professionally.

Nominate at www.illinoisbeef.com

Beef Leadership Academy Applications Illinois Beef Association is now accepting applications for the ‘23-’24 Beef Leadership Academy class. This program is for beef producers ages 22-40 interested in developing their leadership skills and knowledge of the beef industry. Apply at www.illinoisbeef.com