Public Act 103-0459
 
HB3892 EnrolledLRB103 30246 KTG 56674 b

    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Illinois Housing Development Act is amended
by adding Section 7.33 as follows:
 
    (20 ILCS 3805/7.33 new)
    Sec. 7.33. Urban and suburban gardening at affordable
housing projects.
    (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the
long-term sustainability of the Illinois communities depends
upon improved uses of land that has already been developed.
The General Assembly also finds that agricultural growth in
urban and suburban areas contributes significantly to
environmental and economic sustainability by providing
locally-produced agricultural goods, as well as improving the
landscape of these areas.
    The purpose of this Section is to authorize the Authority
to develop a program that provides incentives for the
development of housing projects that incorporate urban and
suburban gardening programs.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this Section, "gardening"
means the production of consumable produce to be kept or sold
and includes the farming of chicken, ducks, and small farm
animals for milk production.
    (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Authority may develop a program that provides incentives for
the development of affordable housing projects that
incorporate urban and suburban gardening programs. Under the
program, the University of Illinois shall be consulted
regarding best practices in urban gardening and farming,
including vertical gardening, aquaponics, and community
gardening. An affordable housing project that incorporates an
urban or suburban gardening program must provide any land,
buildings, or tools necessary to develop and maintain the
garden or farm. Under the program, the Authority shall also
coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity to create distribution networks that link
urban and suburban gardens with local businesses in order to
facilitate the sale and distribution of locally-grown
agricultural products and food stuffs to consumers residing
within the local community.
    (d) The Authority and the Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity may adopt any rules necessary to
implement the program.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.