Illinois HB3418

This bill allows counties or municipalities to create urban agricultural zones made up of organizations or individuals who grow produce or other agricultural products, raise or process livestock or poultry or sell a minimum of 75% locally grown food. Sales tax revenue from agriculture products would be deposited into an urban agriculture zone faction of a UAZ and the funds collected would be determined by the local government fund, and monies collected in the fund would be specified for a county, municipality or school district.

• Provides new opportunities for local economic development
• Increases funding for educational programs focused on nutrition and local farms
• Improves community access to healthy food choices, and overall public health, reduces property tax burden on local farmers
• The bill will require stringent county and municipal public hearing and notice requirements before adoption of establishing a UAZ