SR0157 LRB095 11981 KXB 35483 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Illinois barns are witnesses to the role of
3 agriculture in our State's image and its economy and serve as
4 scenic landmarks for residents and visitors alike; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Historic barns and agricultural structures across
6 rural Illinois symbolize important Illinois values of
7 heritage, hard work, productivity, and closeness to the land
8 and community with the people who built them; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Historic barns uphold the historic rural
10 qualities of the State's landscape, along with providing a
11 picturesque atmosphere for the State's citizens and visitors to
12 enjoy; and
 
13     WHEREAS, These structures provide insight into our
14 distinctive agricultural history and heritage, as well as a
15 visual description of rural life, both past and present, in
16 Illinois; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Local historic preservation and community
18 organizations in at least 10 counties across Illinois highlight
19 local barns with organized or self-guided barn tours, the first
20 of which began in Greene County in 1984 and has continued every
21 September since as part of Greene County Days; and
 

 

 

SR0157 - 2 - LRB095 11981 KXB 35483 r

1     WHEREAS, One private Illinois barn preservation
2 organization, the Illinois Barn Alliance, released a statewide
3 survey in August, 2005, and found that residents in 46 Illinois
4 counties have conducted barn surveys, organized barn tours, or
5 engaged in other activities that directly promote historic
6 barns; and
 
7     WHEREAS, While historic barns are cherished by so many
8 Illinois residents and visitors, many barns can no longer
9 produce the necessary income to prevent damage by decay or
10 demolition, or the barns become threatened when the surrounding
11 land is removed from active agricultural use; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Many states, including Iowa, Wisconsin, New York,
13 Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire enacted legislation creating
14 barn preservation and restoration programs to assist barn
15 owners with their efforts to preserve these cultural and
16 architectural treasures for the enjoyment and economic benefit
17 of this and future generations; therefore, be it
 
18     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
19 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Department of
20 Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in consultation with
21 the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Historic
22 Preservation Agency, and any other public entities as the DCEO

 

 

SR0157 - 3 - LRB095 11981 KXB 35483 r

1 deems necessary, shall conduct a study of (i) current historic
2 barn restoration and preservation efforts and needs in
3 Illinois, (ii) the benefits that a historic barn restoration
4 and preservation program in Illinois could have on tourism and
5 other economic development activities in rural areas, and (iii)
6 programs and incentives in place in other states to promote
7 historic barn restoration and preservation; the DCEO shall
8 report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by
9 December 1, 2008; and be it further
 
10     RESOLVED, That in conducting its study the DCEO shall also
11 consult with the Illinois Barn Alliance and any other private
12 local historical, preservation, and community organizations
13 engaged in promoting and preserving historic barns in their
14 communities or counties; and be it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be
16 presented to the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
17 to the Director of Agriculture, and to the Director of the
18 Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.