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Keeping Watch and Assessing Risk
Since Jan. 1, more than 9,475 bills have been introduced; of those thousands of bills, eight have been introduced that would greatly limit or penalize the use of pesticides. There has been a gradual escalation of the introduction of pesticide-limiting legislation over the past few years, meaning this issue is working to break through in state discourse.
This escalation joins the symphony of other bills being introduced in Springfield that are getting more divisive and less agriculture-friendly. Amid the changing of the guard in leadership, shifting politics within the legislature and the evolving role of money in politics, Springfield continues to evolve and become more difficult to navigate. The Voice for Soy Team is fighting for farmers, and the team has deep expertise navigating these waters employing nimble negotiating techniques as well as consistently educating policymakers.
A large part of motivation driving the pursuit of this pesticide legislation revolves around tree damage, along with water quality and general environmental concerns. Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) supports protecting property rights and reducing drift, including the promotion of training to applicators to reduce that drift. Yet we acknowledge that much of the drift occurs by accident.
Not all these bills are viable, though all are being closely monitored by our staff. The following bills are currently introduced for consideration for the General Assembly and have been assessed by our experts as “potential to pass” or “less likely to pass” as well as “high risk to farmers” and “moderate risk to farmers.”
Potential to Pass
HB5018 --- Increases monetary penalties and increases point values in determining monetary penalties. Distinguishes pesticide effects on woody perennial plants and herbaceous plants with respect to penalties. Moderate Risk to Farmers
Less Likely to Pass
HB4814 --- Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, no person shall offer for sale or use, or distribute within the State any corn, soybean, or wheat seed that is treated or coated with a pesticide that has certain active ingredients. High Risk to Farmers
HB5390 --- Bans the sale and use of dicamba. Moderate Risk to Farmers
SB187 --- Provides that, on and after Jan. 1, 2024, no pesticide containing a neonicotinoid may be used outdoors on any land owned or maintained by the State. High Risk to Farmers
SB2757 --- Removes pesticide preemption in the state of Illinois. Provides that political subdivision (cities and counties) of the State may regulate pesticides. High Risk to Farmers
HB5075 --- Adds 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 3,6- dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid and atrazine to the definition of "Restricted Use Pesticide". High Risk to Farmers
HB4956 --- Bans the sale and use of ester formulations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Moderate Risk to Farmers
Legislators are setting targets on resources and tools farmers count on to increase yields with the introduction of bans on the use of glyphosate, 2-4D, Dicamba, Atrazine and pesticidal seed treatments such as neonicotinoids. Our Government Relations Team will continue to monitor these bills and educate legislators, allied organizations and other groups about pesticide use and the needs of farmers. Please contact us at govrelations@ilsoy.org with any questions or concerns on these or other bills.
