| ||||
| Public Act 103-0459 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
AN ACT concerning State government.
| ||||
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
| ||||
represented in the General Assembly:
| ||||
Section 5. The Illinois Housing Development Act is amended | ||||
by adding Section 7.33 as follows: | ||||
(20 ILCS 3805/7.33 new) | ||||
Sec. 7.33. Urban and suburban gardening at affordable | ||||
housing projects. | ||||
(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the | ||||
long-term sustainability of the Illinois communities depends | ||||
upon improved uses of land that has already been developed. | ||||
The General Assembly also finds that agricultural growth in | ||||
urban and suburban areas contributes significantly to | ||||
environmental and economic sustainability by providing | ||||
locally-produced agricultural goods, as well as improving the | ||||
landscape of these areas. | ||||
The purpose of this Section is to authorize the Authority | ||||
to develop a program that provides incentives for the | ||||
development of housing projects that incorporate urban and | ||||
suburban gardening programs. | ||||
(b) Definitions. As used in this Section, "gardening" | ||||
means the production of consumable produce to be kept or sold | ||||
and includes the farming of chicken, ducks, and small farm | ||||
animals for milk production. | ||
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the | ||
Authority may develop a program that provides incentives for | ||
the development of affordable housing projects that | ||
incorporate urban and suburban gardening programs. Under the | ||
program, the University of Illinois shall be consulted | ||
regarding best practices in urban gardening and farming, | ||
including vertical gardening, aquaponics, and community | ||
gardening. An affordable housing project that incorporates an | ||
urban or suburban gardening program must provide any land, | ||
buildings, or tools necessary to develop and maintain the | ||
garden or farm. Under the program, the Authority shall also | ||
coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Commerce and | ||
Economic Opportunity to create distribution networks that link | ||
urban and suburban gardens with local businesses in order to | ||
facilitate the sale and distribution of locally-grown | ||
agricultural products and food stuffs to consumers residing | ||
within the local community. | ||
(d) The Authority and the Department of Commerce and | ||
Economic Opportunity may adopt any rules necessary to | ||
implement the program.
| ||
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
| ||