House Sponsors: POE. Short description: AGFIRST INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOP Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Illinois AgFirst Infrastructure Development Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Crises Safety Net Response Program to provide job training and employment services for farmers and farm workers. Creates a value-added virtual equity loan and grant program to promote value-added processing of Illinois farm products. Creates the Enhanced Value-Added Agriculture Production Guarantee Program to provide State Guarantees for loans to finance or refinance debts for specialized agri-businesses that engage in the process of adding value to agricultural products. Requires the Department to adopt an agriculture management curriculum. Creates the Illinois Agricultural Small Business Authority within the Department to provide technical and managerial assistance to new-generation co-ops and small agri-businesses. Creates the Agri-business Outreach Program within the Department to provide assistance to the public, the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and State and local government agencies. Requires the Department to develop a voluntary certification process that guarantees buyers that certified products warrant a premium price. Requires the Department to identify consumer preferences; identify new markets; identify preserved products; underwrite certain demonstrations; and provide market analyses and trend projections to interested persons. Repealed on July 1, 2005. Effective July 1, 2001. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status