Midwest Mid-Session Legislative Update: Growing Opportunities in Illinois

Since January, AFT has been planting seeds for improved agricultural policy across the Midwest. This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Illinois, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!

Illinois Leglislative Agenda

With thousands of bills introduced this session, AFT has been closely tracking a broad range of legislative activity in Springfield. While some of our priority bills — such as the Legacy Act and the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit — are no longer advancing, there are still significant opportunities to move forward meaningful policies that benefit Illinois farmers and farmland:

• Fund the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program (HB3992 / SB2625) - Invest in statewide cover crop adoption by expanding this successful, in-demand program.

• Support Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SB2638) - Increase FY26 operational funding so districts can continue delivering vital technical assistance to producers across the state.

• Launch a Farmland Transition Commission (SB2372) - Create a commission to study and recommend policies that improve farmland access for the next generation of farmers.

• Advance Equity in Agriculture (HB3067) - Establish the Small Farmer Restoration Program to support socially disadvantaged farmers through grants for agricultural conservation easements and technical assistance. Create the Farm Conservation Corps to provide underserved young adults with pathways into agricultural careers.

• Make Soil Health Week Permanent (HB54) - Establish the first week of March as Soil Health Week each year to raise awareness about the foundational role of soil in Illinois agriculture.

Advocacy In Action

This session, AFT has joined forces with partners and advocates across the state to elevate the voices of Illinois farmers, conservationists, and food system leaders. So far, AFT has participated in five major advocacy days at the Capitol — rallying support for policies that protect farmland, strengthen our food systems, and empower the next generation of producers.

Soil Health Advocacy Day - Farmers and conservation professionals came together to champion policies that protect Illinois’ most essential agricultural resource — our soil.

Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Advocacy Day - SWCD professionals from across the state called for increased operations funding to support the vital technical assistance they provide to farmers.

Food & Farm Advocacy Day - Growers, eaters, and food system leaders joined forces to advocate for stronger infrastructure and incentives to support local food production and access. Thanks to their efforts, 14 legislators signed on as co-sponsors to key food and farm bills!

Agriculture Legislative Day - A powerful morning gathering of farmers, FFA students and advisors, and agricultural professionals, featuring remarks from Governor Pritzker and other state ag leaders, kicked off a day of advocacy for the Illinois agriculture industry.

Conservation Lobby Day - More than 100 conservation professionals and partners came to the Capitol to advocate for critical investments in soil and water protection, Indigenous conservation rights, and public access to Illinois’ rivers and waterways.

Take Action: Fall Covers For Spring Savings

Cover crops are one of Illinois’ most effective tools for reducing nutrient runoff and improving soil health — yet only 4% of Illinois cropland is planted with them, far below what's needed to meet our water and soil quality goals.

The Fall Covers for Spring Savings (FCSS) program incentivizes cover crop use by offering a $5/acre crop insurance discount. Since launching in 2019, it has grown to support 200,000 acres annually — but demand far outpaces funding. The FY2026 budget includes just $660,000, enough for only 100,000 acres. To expand this high-impact program, increased funding is essential.

If you want to support increased funding to incentivize cover crop adoption, you can call your State Representative and Senator and urge them to:

1. Co-sponsor HB3992 or SB2625, both of which propose funding to support 1 million acres of cover crops. Co-sponsorship of these bills demonstrates a broad coalition of support for increased FCSS funding.

2. Support increased FCSS funding in the state appropriations process!

You can find your elected officials here: https://ilenviro.org/legislator-lookup/

Interested in what we’re up to in Wisconsin and Indiana?