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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-SECOND 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, with the majority
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1 caucus members serving at the pleasure of the Speaker and the
2 minority caucus members serving at the pleasure of the
3 Minority leader;
4 (2) Six voting members appointed from the Senate,
5 with 3 members appointed by the President and 3 members
6 appointed by the Minority Leader, with majority caucus
7 members serving at the pleasure of the President and the
8 Minority caucus members serving at the pleasure of the
9 Minority leader;
10 (3) Up to 12 non-voting members appointed from
11 pertinent fields or disciplines by the legislative members of
12 the Task Force, by majority vote, from the following
13 categories:
14 (A) Agriculture;
15 (B) Environment;
16 (C) Local government;
17 (D) Real estate;
18 (E) Regional planning;
19 (F) Building trades and construction;
20 (G) Business;
21 (b) A majority of the legislative appointees shall select
22 a legislative member of the Task Force to serve as
23 chairperson;
24 (c) The Lieutenant Governor, the Director of Agriculture,
25 the Director of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Director
26 of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of
27 Natural Resources, the Secretary of Transportation, and the
28 Chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, or
29 their designees, shall serve as advisory non-voting delegates
30 to the Task Force;
31 (d) The legislative members may appoint a Planning
32 Committee consisting of non-voting, advisory members to
33 assist with the Task Force;
34 (e) The Task Force has the following objectives:
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1 (1) Conduct a series of public hearings throughout
2 the State to discuss with citizens in different regions their
3 visions and plans for Illinois in the 21st Century with
4 respect to land use, housing and transportation priorities,
5 and the preservation of open space, farmland, and natural
6 areas;
7 (2) Develop a set of statewide land use, housing,
8 and transportation goals, based on the testimony of citizens
9 at the task force hearings around Illinois;
10 (3) Propose enabling legislation and identify
11 revenue sources and incentives to meet the goals of the Task
12 Force;
13 (4) Review existing State statutes affecting
14 farmland and development to identify gaps and duplications;
15 (5) Review State and regional land use and
16 transportation policies and priorities to determine their
17 impact on regional development patterns, farmland,
18 agriculture, open space, and housing, and recommend
19 appropriate changes in policy and funding priorities;
20 (6) Review State and regional land use, planning,
21 and zoning policies to determine their impact on agriculture,
22 open space, and housing, and recommend appropriate changes in
23 policy and funding priorities to promote balanced growth;
24 (7) Review the policies and programs of other states
25 to identify successful legislative and policy initiatives
26 that could be adapted for Illinois to ensure sustainable
27 growth in the 21st century;
28 (8) Discuss formation of a permanent working group
29 or commission on growth issues, including designation of a
30 lead State agency;
31 (f) The Task Force shall receive the assistance of
32 legislative staff, legislative agencies, and, upon request,
33 private and public organizations;
34 (g) The members of the Task Force shall serve without
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1 compensation but be reimbursed for their reasonable and
2 necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose;
3 and be it further
4 RESOLVED, That the Illinois Growth Task Force shall meet
5 as soon as possible after at least 9 legislative members have
6 been appointed, shall hold public hearings, and shall report
7 its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by
8 filing a copy of its report with the Secretary of the Senate
9 and the Clerk of the House; and that upon filing its report
10 the task force is dissolved.