URBAN AGRICULTURAL ZONES

Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may create an urban agricultural zone composed of organizations or persons: who grow produce or other agricultural products; who raise livestock or poultry; who process livestock or poultry; or that sell a minimum of 75% locally grown food. Provides for the creation of an urban agricultural zone board to advise the county board, county board of commissioners, or corporate authorities of a municipality on urban agricultural zones. Provides for urban agricultural zone application requirements, including the number of jobs to be created, the types of products to be produced, and, if applying for a vending urban agricultural zone, the ability to accept food stamps under the provisions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if selling products to consumers. Provides for county and municipal public hearing and notice requirements before adoption of an ordinance to establish an urban agricultural zone. Provides that property taxes on property located within an urban agricultural zone shall not be increased, if so provided in the urban agricultural zone ordinance, for a period of up to 25 years. Provides that sales tax amounts received from the sale of agricultural products sold in an urban agricultural zone shall be deposited in the Urban Agricultural Zone Fund and specifies distribution to the county, municipality, or school districts under specified circumstances. Allows for wholesale water rates and a reduction in water connection charges for property in an urban agricultural zone. Amends the State Finance Act making conforming changes.