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91_SJ0045
SRS91SJ0026ABsa
1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Illinois' 76,000 farmers are the stewards of
3 much of our land base and grow the crops and livestock we all
4 rely on for food, while maintaining open space, scenic views,
5 and wildlife habitat and together comprise Illinois' leading
6 industry; and
7 WHEREAS, In many parts of Illinois prime farmland faces
8 intense development pressure; and
9 WHEREAS, It is critically important for Illinois to
10 develop sound and balanced public policies that address
11 farmland and open space needs while preserving the
12 availability and affordability of housing for our citizens;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, The development of sound land use, housing, and
15 transportation policies would be enhanced by bringing
16 together public officials and private organizations who are
17 dedicated to dealing effectively with these issues; and
18 WHEREAS, Better planning could guide new development to
19 locations where public infrastructure is already in place or
20 nearby, thus reducing damage to the environment and helping
21 sustain our rural heritage; therefore be it
22 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIRST GENERAL
23 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
24 REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the
25 Illinois Growth Task Force:
26 (a) The Task Force consists of at least 12 members and
27 not more than 24 members chosen according to the following
28 requirements:
29 (1) Six voting members appointed from the House of
30 Representatives, with 3 members appointed by the Speaker and
31 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader;
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1 (2) Six voting members appointed from the Senate,
2 with 3 members appointed by the President and 3 members
3 appointed by the Minority Leader;
4 (3) Up to 12 non-voting members appointed from
5 pertinent fields or disciplines by the legislative members of
6 the Task Force, by majority vote, from the following
7 categories:
8 (A) Agriculture;
9 (B) Environment;
10 (C) Local government;
11 (D) Real estate;
12 (E) Regional planning;
13 (F) Building trades and construction;
14 (G) Business;
15 (b) A majority of the legislative appointees shall select
16 a legislative member of the Task Force to serve as
17 chairperson;
18 (c) The Lieutenant Governor, the Director of Agriculture,
19 the Director of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Director
20 of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of
21 Natural Resources, the Secretary of Transportation, and the
22 Chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, or
23 their designees, shall serve as advisory non-voting delegates
24 to the Task Force;
25 (d) The legislative members may appoint a Planning
26 Committee consisting of non-voting, advisory members to
27 assist with the Task Force;
28 (e) The Task Force has the following objectives:
29 (1) Conduct a series of public hearings throughout
30 the State to discuss with citizens in different regions their
31 visions and plans for Illinois in the 21st Century with
32 respect to land use, housing and transportation priorities,
33 and the preservation of open space, farmland, and natural
34 areas;
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1 (2) Develop a set of statewide land use, housing,
2 and transportation goals, based on the testimony of citizens
3 at the task force hearings around Illinois;
4 (3) Propose enabling legislation and identify
5 revenue sources and incentives to meet the goals of the Task
6 Force;
7 (4) Review existing State statutes affecting
8 farmland and development to identify gaps and duplications;
9 (5) Review State and regional land use and
10 transportation policies and priorities to determine their
11 impact on regional development patterns, farmland,
12 agriculture, open space, and housing, and recommend
13 appropriate changes in policy and funding priorities;
14 (6) Review State and regional land use, planning,
15 and zoning policies to determine their impact on agriculture,
16 open space, and housing, and recommend appropriate changes in
17 policy and funding priorities to promote balanced growth;
18 (7) Review the policies and programs of other states
19 to identify successful legislative and policy initiatives
20 that could be adapted for Illinois to ensure sustainable
21 growth in the 21st century;
22 (8) Discuss formation of a permanent working group
23 or commission on growth issues, including designation of a
24 lead State agency;
25 (f) The Task Force shall receive the assistance of
26 legislative staff, legislative agencies, and, upon request,
27 private and public organizations;
28 (g) The members of the Task Force shall serve without
29 compensation but be reimbursed for their reasonable and
30 necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose;
31 and be it further
32 RESOLVED, That the Illinois Growth Task Force shall meet
33 as soon as possible after at least 9 legislative members have
34 been appointed, shall hold public hearings, and shall report
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1 its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by
2 filing a copy of its report with the Secretary of the Senate
3 and the Clerk of the House; and that upon filing its report
4 the task force is dissolved.