103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB0052
 
Introduced 1/20/2023, by Sen. Laura Fine
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
5 ILCS 490/77 new

     Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the first full week of May is designated as Compost Awareness Week to be observed throughout the State as a week to recognize the importance of composting and the use of compost in growing healthier food, supporting healthier soils, creating a more sustainable world, and to promote all relevant activities connected to the annual theme of International Compost Awareness Week.
  


LRB103 05137 DTM 50151 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
SB0052LRB103 05137 DTM 50151 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds and 
5declares the following:
6        (1) Composting is an effective form of waste 
7    reduction, reuse, and recycling, and since organic 
8    materials make up approximately 30% of the material going 
9    into landfills, composting is becoming one of the primary 
10    methods communities use to reach waste diversion goals and 
11    create sustainable communities.
12        (2) Organic residual materials, including yard 
13    trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, 
14    manures, and hay shavings, have been composted and 
15    converted into a beneficial product known as compost.
16        (3) Returning organic resources, remanufactured into 
17    compost, to the soil reduces water consumption by over 30% 
18    for all soil types, conserves water during extreme drought 
19    or flooding conditions, decreases dependence on chemical 
20    fertilizers and pesticides, and decreases erosion and 
21    nonpoint source pollution.
22        (4) Communities, through their local governments, 
23    highway departments, soil conservation services, and 
24    public works professionals, can have positive impacts on 
 
 
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1    clean water, soil, climate change, and landfill diversion 
2    by using compost for public works projects.
3        (5) Composting creates green jobs and infrastructure 
4    for cities and states that implement composting programs.
5        (6) International Compost Awareness Week is a 
6    multimedia publicity and educational initiative designed 
7    to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use 
8    and is supported by compost industry organizations from 
9    around the world.
10        (7) The many benefits of composting should be 
11    recognized and promoted throughout the State of Illinois 
12    on annual basis.
 
13    Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended  by 
14adding Section 77 as follows:
 
15    (5 ILCS 490/77 new)
16    Sec. 77. Compost Awareness Week. The first full week of 
17May is designated as Compost Awareness Week to be observed 
18throughout the State as a week to recognize the importance of 
19composting and the use of compost in growing healthier food, 
20supporting healthier soils, creating a more sustainable world, 
21and to promote all relevant activities connected to the annual 
22theme of International Compost Awareness Week.