Creates the Agricultural Land Conservation Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a Farmland Conversion Fee shall be paid by the buyer or lessee in a transaction for any agricultural land that will be removed from production for the specific purpose to develop solar farms, wind farms, industrial parks, commercial areas, single and multiple family dwellings, or any other use that removes agricultural land from production, with certain requirements, of between $700 and $900 per acre, according to the amount of acres. Provides for certain exemptions. Provides for remittance to and collection by the Department of Revenue, with rulemaking required. Creates the Farmland Conversion Fee Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with certain requirements. Provides that certain amounts must be expended from the Fund for certain purposes. Provides that all State real property being used in the commercial production of agricultural commodities shall use an established metric for the purpose of advancing adoption of conservation practices, with certain requirements. Effective immediately.
Sen. Chapin Rose
Sponsored bills
Restores certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 to the form in which they existed before their amendment by Public Act 101-652 by amendment or reenactment. Retains provisions that crime victims shall be given notice by the State's Attorney's office of the preliminary hearing as required in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act and shall be informed of their opportunity at this hearing to obtain an order of protection under the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Amends the Statute on Statutes to provide that whenever there is a reference in any Act to the term "pretrial release", "denial of pretrial release", "conditions of pretrial release", or "violations of the conditions of pretrial release", the terms shall be construed to mean "bail", "denial of bail", "conditions of bail", or "forfeiture of bail" respectively. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning energy storage systems, provides that the farmland drainage plan that a facility owner must file with a county shall include, among other things, plans to repair any subsurface drainage affected during construction or deconstruction using procedures outlined in the agricultural impact mitigation agreement (rather than outlined in the decommissioning plan) and procedures for the repair and restoration of surface drainage affected during construction or deconstruction. Provides that a county shall (rather than may) require a facility owner to provide a decommissioning plan to the county. Makes changes to the requirements of a decommissioning plan. Provides that a county shall (rather than may) require the facility owner to submit to the county (i) a commercial operation a commissioning report meeting specified requirements of specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association; (ii) a hazard mitigation analysis meeting specified requirements of specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association; (iii) an emergency operations plan meeting specified requirements of specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association; and (iv) a warning that complies with specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association. Provides that the energy storage system owner shall enter into one agricultural impact mitigation agreement for each energy storage system. Requires the agricultural impact mitigation agreement for an energy storage system to include specified plans. Requires a commercial renewable energy facility owner to make available a copy of the signed agricultural impact mitigation agreement at the site of the commercial renewable energy facility during any construction or deconstruction activities. Makes other changes.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Milton Dow "Milt" Kelly, a respected educator, community leader, and sports coach from Fisher, Illinois, who passed away in September 2025. The bill formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to them as a gesture of sympathy. It recognizes Kelly's significant contributions to music education, baseball coaching, local government service, and his role as a spiritual mentor in the community. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a commemorative acknowledgment of his legacy and impact on those who knew him.
Amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a commercial solar energy facility, commercial wind energy facility, or energy storage facility may not be constructed in a county, a township, or within 1.5 miles of a municipality unless the facility has the approval of (1) the county board of the county or, if the facility is located in Cook County, the Cook County Board of Commissioners; (2) if the facility would be located within a township, the township board of trustees; and (3) if the facility would be located within a municipality, the corporate authorities of the municipality. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code. In provisions about commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities, removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123. Provides that any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, commercial wind energy facilities, or commercial solar energy facilities that was in effect before January 27, 2023 may continue in effect notwithstanding any changes made in Public Act 102-1123 and, if applicable, any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms that was in effect before August 16, 2007 may continue in effect notwithstanding the changes made in Public Act 95-203.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the memory of Stephen Eurel "Steve" Hoffman, a retired communications professional from Farmer City who passed away on February 21, 2026. The bill formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and friends while acknowledging his career in journalism and his community contributions. It directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to Hoffman's family as a gesture of sympathy. This type of memorial resolution does not create new laws or policy changes but serves as an official record of recognition for a deceased individual.
Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (SR 630) honoring Andy Jack Bolsen, a Moultrie County farmer, Illinois Farm Bureau leader, and community volunteer who died on February 14, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and recognizes his life, including his work on the family farm, contributions to agricultural innovation, and decades of service to county fairs and the Farm Bureau. It does not create any new laws or policies - it is a ceremonial gesture of respect. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 26, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial memorial resolution (SR 631) honoring Franklin Leon "Lee" Rodgers of Goreville, Illinois, who died on February 6, 2026. The resolution commemorates his life and career, including his 31-year service as a school superintendent across multiple Illinois districts, his education background, and his family. It expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his surviving family members, including his children, grandchildren, and companion. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws or constituents.
Maddy summarySJR 55 appoints Christopher B. Meister of Oak Park, Illinois, as Illinois Auditor General for a term beginning May 1, 2026. This procedural resolution follows constitutional requirements and a recommendation from the Legislative Audit Commission, which conducted a search for qualified candidates. The bill does not change state law or create new policies - it solely formalizes an existing appointment process. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Illinois General Assembly on February 25, 2026.