HB3892 EngrossedLRB103 30246 KTG 56674 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Housing Development Act is amended
5by adding Section 7.33 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 3805/7.33 new)
7    Sec. 7.33. Urban and suburban gardening at affordable
8housing projects.
9    (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the
10long-term sustainability of the Illinois communities depends
11upon improved uses of land that has already been developed.
12The General Assembly also finds that agricultural growth in
13urban and suburban areas contributes significantly to
14environmental and economic sustainability by providing
15locally-produced agricultural goods, as well as improving the
16landscape of these areas.
17    The purpose of this Section is to authorize the Authority
18to develop a program that provides incentives for the
19development of housing projects that incorporate urban and
20suburban gardening programs.
21    (b) Definitions. As used in this Section, "gardening"
22means the production of consumable produce to be kept or sold
23and includes the farming of chicken, ducks, and small farm

 

 

HB3892 Engrossed- 2 -LRB103 30246 KTG 56674 b

1animals for milk production.
2    (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
3Authority may develop a program that provides incentives for
4the development of affordable housing projects that
5incorporate urban and suburban gardening programs. Under the
6program, the University of Illinois shall be consulted
7regarding best practices in urban gardening and farming,
8including vertical gardening, aquaponics, and community
9gardening. An affordable housing project that incorporates an
10urban or suburban gardening program must provide any land,
11buildings, or tools necessary to develop and maintain the
12garden or farm. Under the program, the Authority shall also
13coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Commerce and
14Economic Opportunity to create distribution networks that link
15urban and suburban gardens with local businesses in order to
16facilitate the sale and distribution of locally-grown
17agricultural products and food stuffs to consumers residing
18within the local community.
19    (d) The Authority and the Department of Commerce and
20Economic Opportunity may adopt any rules necessary to
21implement the program.
 
22    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
23becoming law.