CNTY CD-FARMLAND PRESERVATION Senate SponsorsSen. Pamela J. Althoff, Michael Bond-William R. Haine, A. J. Wilhelmi-Linda Holmes and William Delgado House Sponsors(Rep. Michael W. Tryon-Sandy Cole-Kathleen A. Ryg-Patricia R. Bellock-Dave Winters and Sara Feigenholtz) 1/12/2011SenateSession Sine Die 55 ILCS 5/5-1009.5 newAmends the Counties Code. Provides that a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may levy an annual tax for farmland preservation easement purposes. Provides that the tax may not exceed 0.05% of the equalized assessed value of taxable property in the county. Provides that the tax must be approved by referendum. Provides that the tax may be discontinued by referendum. Provides that a referendum to levy or discontinue a tax for county farmland preservation easement purposes may be initiated by a petition signed by a number of electors equal to at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast in the county during the last preceding gubernatorial election. Provides that moneys in the county farmland preservation easement fund shall be used by the county for the purchase of easements to preserve farmland within the county. 2/6/2009SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 2/6/2009SenateFirst Reading 2/6/2009SenateReferred to Assignments 2/10/2009SenateAssigned to Local Government 2/13/2009SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael Bond 2/19/2009SenateDo Pass Local Government; 007-001-000 2/19/2009SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 20, 2009 2/23/2009SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. William R. Haine 2/27/2009SenateSecond Reading 2/27/2009SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 4, 2009 3/12/2009SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. A. J. Wilhelmi 3/25/2009SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes 4/2/2009SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. William Delgado 4/2/2009SenateThird Reading - Passed; 044-006-001 4/2/2009HouseArrived in House 4/2/2009HousePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 4/2/2009HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Michael W. Tryon 4/2/2009HouseFirst Reading 4/2/2009HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/14/2009HouseAssigned to Counties & Townships Committee 4/21/2009HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sandy Cole 4/22/2009HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg 4/22/2009HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Patricia R. Bellock 4/23/2009HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Winters 4/30/2009HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Sara Feigenholtz 5/7/2009HouseMotion Do Pass - Lost Counties & Townships Committee; 003-003-002 5/7/2009HouseRemains in Counties & Townships Committee 5/8/2009HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 1/12/2011SenateSession Sine Die