(20 ILCS 4115/10)

Sec. 10. Duties of the Commission. The Agriculture Equity Commission shall have the following duties:

(1) To study and provide recommendations concerning equity for and participation of socially disadvantaged farmers and growers in the agriculture sector in Illinois.

(2) To study and provide recommendations concerning all forms of agriculture, including, but not limited to, corn and soy, small farms, specialty crops, livestock, urban farming, indoor farming, cannabis, and hemp.

(3) To provide recommendations for policies and programs in several main areas in which the Commission can address through workgroups, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) access to secure land tenure; (ii) access to capital and financial planning; (iii) access to education and training; (iv) access to resources, infrastructure, and business planning; and (v) market access and diversification.

(4) To help guide plans and policies in Illinois agriculture industries, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) increasing outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers and growers; (ii) working with the Department of Agriculture to analyze and propose legislative policy solutions and on the ground projects; and (iii) reviewing disparity studies and suggesting new areas of study or data collection.

(5) To develop an annual plan of education events, meetings, and trainings for all sectors of socially disadvantaged farmers and growers.

(Source: P.A. 102-973, eff. 1-1-23.)